News / National
ZBC bans 'prosperity, miracle prophets'
05 Apr 2018 at 06:50hrs | Views
Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has temporarily suspended all programming covering "prosperity and miracle prophets."
This comes amid public outrage over the unprecedented coverage of prophets at the expense of news, sports, business, entertainment and other programming.
ZBC acting head of Radio Services Albert Chekayi confirmed the public broadcaster had halted prophets' programmes to assess if they were not infringing on the rights of their diverse audience.
Chekayi said once the process is complete, the broadcaster will re-engage those whose programme. would have been affected.
The ZBC operates four radio stations and one television station.
"What has happened is we have temporarily suspended the programmes to allow us to have a re-look considering the many complaints that we have received from the public who are the owners of the radio stations since we are a public broadcaster," Chekayi said.
"This decision was taken by we have the balancing role of us.... we are answerable to the ensuring that no section of the listeners. Remember, a public country's population is offended broadcaster does not just target profits but the interests of those who pay licences. Once the process is complete, it will inform us what steps to take.
"Remember, Zimbabwe is a country that upholds freedom of religion but guided by the Bill of Rights in our Constitution the freedoms one enjoys do not need to infringe on the rights of other citizens.
"So, as a public broadcaster, we have the balancing role of ensuring that no section of the country's population is offended by the content we broadcast," he added.
Recently, head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Zimbabwe, Ambassador Philippe Van Damme, said he was amazed with the overpopulation of prophets in this country.
"In biblical tradition in the bible in the Old Testament you have quite some prophets but never with the density as in this country," he said.
"I observe the sociological phenomenon from where I can observe them and my observations lead me to conclude 'as you have fake news you have fake prophets' driven by commercial interests," he said.
This comes as Star FM listeners continue to complain about a glut of prophet adverts, with listeners taking to social media to vent their frustration.
The general outcry from the listeners is that the station is no longer serving the general listeners' needs, in pursuit of money from prophets.
This comes amid public outrage over the unprecedented coverage of prophets at the expense of news, sports, business, entertainment and other programming.
ZBC acting head of Radio Services Albert Chekayi confirmed the public broadcaster had halted prophets' programmes to assess if they were not infringing on the rights of their diverse audience.
Chekayi said once the process is complete, the broadcaster will re-engage those whose programme. would have been affected.
The ZBC operates four radio stations and one television station.
"What has happened is we have temporarily suspended the programmes to allow us to have a re-look considering the many complaints that we have received from the public who are the owners of the radio stations since we are a public broadcaster," Chekayi said.
"This decision was taken by we have the balancing role of us.... we are answerable to the ensuring that no section of the listeners. Remember, a public country's population is offended broadcaster does not just target profits but the interests of those who pay licences. Once the process is complete, it will inform us what steps to take.
"So, as a public broadcaster, we have the balancing role of ensuring that no section of the country's population is offended by the content we broadcast," he added.
Recently, head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Zimbabwe, Ambassador Philippe Van Damme, said he was amazed with the overpopulation of prophets in this country.
"In biblical tradition in the bible in the Old Testament you have quite some prophets but never with the density as in this country," he said.
"I observe the sociological phenomenon from where I can observe them and my observations lead me to conclude 'as you have fake news you have fake prophets' driven by commercial interests," he said.
This comes as Star FM listeners continue to complain about a glut of prophet adverts, with listeners taking to social media to vent their frustration.
The general outcry from the listeners is that the station is no longer serving the general listeners' needs, in pursuit of money from prophets.
Source - dailynews
