Zimbabwe vehicle insurance now tied to propaganda licence

Zimbabwe has officially ushered in a new era in media regulation with the gazetting of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025), following President Emmerson Mnangagwa's assent. The law, which introduces sweeping reforms to the country's broadcasting sector, was published under General Notice 1034 of 2025 in the Government Gazette on May 23.

Announcing the development, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya confirmed the Act had been assented to under section 131(6)(a) of the Constitution. The legislation aims to streamline governance, promote inclusivity, and align Zimbabwe's broadcasting framework with international standards and the national Constitution.

Among the most striking provisions is the prohibition on the sale of motor insurance by ZINARA and insurance companies to vehicle owners who do not possess a valid Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licence. Exceptions will only apply to those with a ZBC exemption certificate or to vehicles without radio receivers.

Legal expert Rutendo Manhimanzi described the legislation as a significant step toward rationalising Zimbabwe's broadcasting landscape. She said the amendments focus on aligning the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) with both constitutional principles and the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act, while also promoting transparency, corporate accountability, and local content development.

"The Bill is commendable for its aspirations around inclusivity and modern governance. However, certain clauses raise questions about the independence of the broadcasting regulator and the autonomy of media institutions," she said.

The Act makes several key changes to the existing broadcasting law. Notably, the number of BAZ board members is reduced from twelve to seven, with a mandatory requirement for gender balance. Section 7(2) has been updated to redefine the categories of broadcasting licences to include commercial, community, and subscription services, modernising the licensing framework.

In a move to enhance transparency, Section 10 now mandates BAZ to publish an annual public call for licence applications, which must be advertised in the Government Gazette and a national newspaper. All shortlisted applicants for spectrum-based licences are required to undergo public inquiry processes, though this does not apply to community radio services.

Further amendments to Section 11 promote language diversity and inclusivity, requiring broadcasters to air content in all languages spoken in their coverage areas. At least 10% of all content must be in formats accessible to people with hearing impairments. Additionally, broadcasters are now legally obligated to provide the government with one hour of free airtime per week to communicate national policy.

The Broadcasting Fund's objectives, outlined in Section 30, have also been revised to prioritise the establishment and sustainability of community broadcasting services. This move is expected to support a sector that often struggles with limited funding options.

Changes to the Broadcasting Authority's governance structure were also introduced. Board members will now serve four-year terms instead of five, and vacancies must be filled within three months. The appointment of the CEO and senior staff will now fall under the guidelines of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act. This includes requirements for public advertisement of vacancies, performance-based contracts, declarations of assets, and conflict of interest disclosures. CEO contracts will be limited to two fixed terms, with a maximum six-month gap allowed for filling vacant positions.

Community engagement has also been bolstered under the new law. The revised Fifth Schedule requires licensees to actively involve community members in programme selection, operational activities, and board representation, ensuring grassroots input in media operations.

Meanwhile, the Sixth Schedule targets cultural promotion in sports broadcasting. Television broadcasters with dedicated sports channels are now required to ensure that at least 50% of their programming consists of local or African content. This provision is expected to boost local identity, support African content creators, and contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe's sports and creative industries.

With these reforms, the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025) positions Zimbabwe for a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable broadcasting sector. However, as the Act begins to take effect, its implementation will be closely watched by media stakeholders and civil society groups concerned about press freedom, regulatory independence, and public access to information.