Zimbabwe’s New Radio Licence Law Sparks Outrage Among Motorists

Zimbabweans have expressed outrage over a new legislative proposal that would bar vehicle owners from obtaining insurance or vehicle licences without a radio licence from ZBC.

Public hearings on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill commenced this Monday, revealing widespread discontent among citizens regarding the proposed changes.

Clause 15 of the amendment introduces a condition where ZINARA and insurance companies can only process vehicle documents for those with a valid radio licence or exemption.

During these hearings, many argued that the law unfairly targets car owners while ignoring others who access radio through their mobile devices.

One citizen, Costa Nkomo, questioned the logic behind singling out motorists, pointing out that even those without cars can listen to radio on their phones.

Pastor Shadhaya raised financial implications, suggesting that if every radio owner paid a minimal fee, significant funds could support ZBC without targeting motorists alone.

Hatitye voiced doubts about the effectiveness of this approach in generating revenue, suggesting high fines for non-compliance rather than mandatory licensing.

The quality of ZBC’s broadcasting was another point of contention, with some attendees criticizing the broadcaster’s content for not being engaging enough to justify such measures.

Robson Mhandu, a former ZBC employee, argued for a singular act to govern the broadcaster, highlighting that current laws focus on gadget ownership rather than usage.

Green Kunyeda from Media Monitors proposed alternative funding models for public broadcasting, suggesting that focusing solely on motorists is discriminatory.

He suggested looking at how other countries fund public broadcasting, like through electricity tariffs or import duties on electronic devices.

However, some argued that licensing motorists could streamline enforcement, reducing the time ZBC and law enforcement spend checking for licence compliance on the roads.

A member of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Development saw the bill as a way to control national narratives and protect cultural identity through broadcasting.

These public consultations are set to continue across Zimbabwe’s provinces this week, with the aim of refining the bill before it potentially becomes law next year.

The debate reflects a broader discourse on how to sustainably fund public broadcasting without alienating or unfairly burdening specific groups like motorists.