Zimbabwe gives licences for new TV stations

Zimbabwe’s Broadcasting Authority today awarded six new TV licenses, but there remain concerns about who the licenses are going to.

Despite Zimbabwe being one of the first countries on the continent to have a TV station, the medium has remained under tight government control. 

The free-to-air viewing has been dominated by national broadcaster ZBC, which has long been accused of being biased in favour of the government and ruling party. 

Among the six free-to-air commercial TV licensees are the state-owned newspaper group channel ZTN, a military company, and a former state media executive. 

A private daily newspaper has also been awarded a license. 

The government had committed to wide-ranging reforms including diversifying the media to improve relations with the West after decades of isolation. 

The Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe chapter said the move was tantamount to government licensing itself, so as to consolidate the voices of the ruling elite. 

“It’s a façade, and shows an unwillingness to reform,” Tabani Moyo of Misa told the BBC.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP