Biased ZBC defends licence fees

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has defended its steep licence fees saying they are necessary to meet operating costs.

The State broadcaster, which has often come under fire from listeners and viewers for biased programming charges $20 annually for radio fees and $50 for television per household.

But in neighbouring South Africa households pay R250 or $30 annually for both radio and television licences.

ZBC spokesperson Sivukile Simango said licence fees were pegged after wide-ranging consultations.

Simango claimed many Zimbabweans were paying their licences.

He said businesses and motorists were the most compliant while households were reluctant to pay.

ZBC demands a once-off payment for the fees while in South Africa people are given an option to pay in instalments of R17 a month.

Most Zimbabweans have opted for satellite television because of ZBC's open bias towards Zanu-PF, but are still forced to pay licence fees.

More listeners have dumped ZBC radio stations for the newly-licensed Star FM that is owned by Zimpapers. Commercial radio stations do not charge any licence fees.

Simango said they did not view the new station as a threat as it was complementing their efforts.