75% Zimbabwe local content for broadcasters on cards

Public broadcasters in Zimbabwe could soon be required to air at least 75% local content across their channels, while licensed sports channels will need to dedicate half their airtime to local sports, under proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act.

The Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, gazetted on Friday, also mandates that social media broadcasters covering national events register with the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ). Additionally, motor vehicle insurance providers will be prohibited from selling policies to individuals without valid ZBC radio licenses.
Key Provisions

The amendments aim to align the Broadcasting Services Act with the Constitution and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act while fostering media diversity, boosting local content production, and attracting investment in the broadcasting sector.

Local Content and Public Broadcasting

Public broadcasters with multiple channels must ensure 75% local content on all platforms. Licensed sports channels will dedicate 50% of their airtime to local sports, balancing commercial viability with promoting national identity. Subscription broadcasters must include up to three public broadcaster channels in their programming.

Radio Licenses and Motor Insurance

Insurers will be prohibited from selling motor insurance to motorists without a valid ZBC radio license. Fees collected from radio licenses are critical to supporting the public broadcaster's operations, including national event coverage and local content production. Motorists may opt out by signing a declaration stating their vehicles are not equipped with radios.

Ownership and Regulation

The Bill limits foreign ownership of broadcasting licenses to 40%, ensuring majority local ownership while encouraging foreign investment in the capital-intensive industry.

The role of BAZ will shift from controlling to regulating and managing broadcasting service bands, aligning with international standards such as the African Charter on Broadcasting and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Modernizing the Framework

The amendments address emerging broadcasting platforms and technological advancements, ensuring that the legal framework keeps pace with industry changes.

New regulatory powers will address gaps in areas like migration to digital platforms, language quotas, and the commissioning of independent productions. Social media broadcasters covering national events must register with BAZ, ensuring regulatory oversight in the digital age.

Governance Reforms

The BAZ board will be reduced from 12 to seven members, with a focus on gender balance. Board terms will be shortened to four years, and vacancies must be filled within three months instead of six.

Promoting Cultural Identity

The proposed legislation ensures local cultural representation by requiring broadcasters to reflect all languages spoken within their service areas.

Government's Perspective

Addressing journalists, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere emphasized the importance of generating revenue for the public broadcaster, mandated to cover national events and programs of public interest.
"The public broadcaster plays a unique role that differs from commercial stations, which are not legally required to air national events," he said.

If enacted, the amendments will strengthen Zimbabwe's broadcasting industry by fostering local content, enhancing media diversity, and modernizing regulations to reflect technological trends. The reforms are a step toward balancing commercial interests with cultural preservation and public service broadcasting.