ZTV monopoly would 'soon' come to an end

INFORMATION, Media and Broadcasting Services minister Jonathan Moyo has been urged to revive the National Television (NTV) project with players in the film industry welcoming his hint that the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) television monopoly would "soon" come to an end.

NTV was the brainchild of the minister and was to be housed at Bulawayo's Montrose Studios, but the project collapsed when he was fired from the government in 2005.

Moyo is scheduled to meet representatives of media houses in Bulawayo today after holding a similar meeting in Harare last Friday.

Amakhosi Cultural Centre director Cont Mhlanga said in as much as Moyo's revelations that there would be more television platforms were welcome, he should ensure the revival of the NTV project.

"While congratulating Moyo for his appointment, he has to finish the project that was left hanging," he said.

"We need to digitalise soon so that we could have several platforms for producers to air their works. It is good for the film industry that the airwaves will be opened up.

"Our region has no media and if the promises are anything to go by, we will have a Bulawayo channel like in South Africa where they have Soweto TV.

"We also need regional and sector specific channels."

Mhlanga said ZBC/TV would also need to improve the quality of its products to survive competition.

Socialite and musician Babongile Sikhonjwa said the NTV project was crucial for the people of the southern region.

"We are looking forward to exciting times in the media. The NTV project will be a good platform for local productions," he said.

"We have many actors and film producers who have left the country for South Africa because of lack of space.

"When we have a station at Montrose studios, it would be easy for producers to take their works there.

"If the NTV project is to be carried through, the new minister would have to ensure that there is an improvement in terms of picture and sound quality."

Sikhonjwa called for funding to be made available to independent producers to boost quality of productions and invitation of international producers to assist with the production of documentaries.

However, Radio Dialogue director Debra Mabunda expressed cautious optimism, saying Moyo did not make any concrete promises.

"I was part of that meeting. Moyo was not in any mood to antagonise anyone," she said. "He did not commit to the licensing of community radio stations.

"I think it was a fact-finding mission and he will make decisions after the interactions."