(NEWZIMBABWE) ZiFM 'most credible' radio station: survey
02/09/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
ZiFM boss Supa Mandiwanzira on Monday launched a blistering attack on the London-based SW Radio Africa for withdrawing its membership of a media body to protest a decision to congratulate ZiFM on turning one.
SW Radio pulled out of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) last week after station manager Gerry Jackson claimed some of ZiFM’s political programmes were “fit only for broadcast on the state media...”
On Mandiwanzira, she added: “He is now a Zanu PF MP and has shown his support for Zanu PF, which was the reason he was given a licence. There is a belief that ZiFM is funded by state security.”
The VMCZ has defended its decision to congratulate ZiFM, which is one of its members, on its first anniversary. VMCZ chairman Alex Muchadehama, a prominent local lawyer, said their congratulatory statement “made no reference to personalities, but the institution that is ZiFM on the basis of its subscription to the VMCZ Media Code of Conduct.”
And buoyed by a survey released last Friday by the Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe which concluded that ZiFM was the most “credible” radio station in the country, Mandiwanzira hit back on Monday.
He said in a statement: “We are very grateful that the MMPZ has again confirmed our status as the leading and most credible radio station in the country, and that our news coverage is unparalleled and a cut above the rest.
“This exposes SW Radio Africa for what they are: a danger to media pluralism and a spectacular example of a failed regime change project. They thought they would be able to change Zimbabwe through propaganda, now they are trying to discredit ZiFM in the same way – even as the station has been judged to be the most trusted and credible broadcaster in the country.”
Mandiwanzira, the new MP for Nyanga South, accused Jackson of “intolerance”, comparing SW Radio Africa to RTLM radio of Rwanda which incited violence during the genocide.
Blasted Mandiwanzira: “The level of intolerance by Gerry Jackson and her lot speaks volumes about how much a danger they are to media pluralism. The fact they were members of VMCZ all along with us shows how hypocritical they are, to now turn around and rain on our parade after we were congratulated on a spectacular performance.”
Between April 1 and June 15, the MMPZ compiled a ‘Media Credibility Index Zimbabwe’ in which it “monitored and analysed the content and credibility of the front page and top stories in 11 print and electronic mainstream media outlets.”
The study concluded that “the electronic media carried the most credible top news reports among the surveyed media in the period under review, achieving an overall credibility standing of 97 percent.”
It added: “ZiFM, Studio 7 and The Standard carried the most trustworthy top news reports in the country among the surveyed media while The Sunday Mail, The Herald and ZTV contained the highest number of flawed top reports.”
All 134 of ZiFM’s top stories during the period under review were judged credible.
Added Mandiwanzira: “We are very serious about the principles of journalism and will continue on the same path which has made us most trusted and credible media organisation in just a year of existence.
“I want to congratulate my news team led by Kelvin Jakachira and wish to reinforce to our readers that we will maintain and do better than we are doing. That must send a message to the likes of SW Radio Africa that we are a serious player and not a pirate player.”
ZiFM and the Zimpapers-owned Star FM were granted licences two years ago amid an outcry by rivals who said the owners of the station were too close to the Zanu PF government and called into question their independence.
You can listen to ZiFM online, CLICK HERE
Labels: GERRY JACKSON, RADIO, SUPA MANDIWANZIRA, ZIFM
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Mandiwanzira defiant over Zanu PF links
01/09/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporters
SUPA Mandiwanzira, who was controversially awarded one of two commercial radio licences, has said it was his democratic right to support a political party of his choice but insisted this would not influence his station’s programming.
Mandiwanzira’s ZiFM and Star FM, owned by the state-run Zimbabwe Newspapers group, were awarded licences to run commercial radio stations by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) in a decision critics say entrenches Zanu PF’s control of the country’s media landscape.
Media reform activists and other political parties said BAZ’s decision flew in the face of calls for diversity and plurality in the sector since Zanu PF already retains a stranglehold over the Zimpapers group and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) while Mandiwanzira, a former president of empowerment pressure group AAG, also has strong links with the party.
However, Mandiwanzira told a public meeting in Harare this week that it was his right to support any political party of his choice adding the licence was awarded to a company and not an individual.
“Many people claim I have close links with Zanu PF but those who are saying that have not come to ask me whether I support the party or not,” he said.
“But if they think that I do, I guess the answer is that it is my democratic right as it is with everybody else to support a political party of their choice.
Mandiwanzira angrily denied allegations he had been awarded the licence because of his links with Zanu PF and insisted that his supposed political associations would not influence programming at the station.
“(The allegation) is nonsensical. I do not need to move around saying I am this or that; I am Supa Mandiwanzira and that is my brand; that is my identity and our presenters, on and off air, have their own identities as individuals,” he said.
“I do not have to prove to anyone that I am not Zanu PF or MDC. I have to prove to the public that I am running a successful commercial radio station. I was never given the licence. AB communications won the licence in a bidding process that was very competitive and included some of the heavyweights in the sector.
“The identity of an individual cannot be an identity of the (radio) station. So we make a clear distinction on what Supa Mandiwanzira represents as a brand and what the station represents as ZiFM Stereo. The station is not going to be influenced by an individual or political party or media group. We are going to be independent.”
The two licences were awarded as part of reforms aimed at breaking the monopoly of the ZBC which has dominated the country broadcast industry since independence in 1980.
The process, however, drew fire from media reform activists who dismissed it as a farce with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC-T party demanding that the licences be revoked.
Still, Mandiwanzira said instead of questioning the supposed political links of individuals associated with the two stations, activists shoud welcome the fact that the country now had two privately owned radio stations and push for more to be allowed to operate.
“This is the first time a privately owned radio stations has been licensed so it is adding to diversity. This time last year you had four radio stations and this year you have six radio stations,” he said.
“So don’t make noise about those who are advancing the growth of the industry but must clamour for the opening of more stations because there is still room for improvement.”
Labels: RADIO, SUPA MANDIWANZIRA
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Radio legend Sibanda to run for MP
16/01/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
RADIO legend Ezra ‘Tshisa’ Sibanda has held talks with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to run for MP at the next elections. Sibanda, who moved to the United Kingdom in 2002, plans to return home to challenge the Zanu PF incumbent in his home area of Vungu in Lower Gweru.
The former Radio 2 DJ was back in Zimbabwe in December where he held talks with the MDC-T’s organising secretary Nelson Chamisa about his ambitions. He told New Zimbabwe.com he had also visited Vungu where he was mobbed by locals who pleaded with him to “come and serve them”.
“I am answering their calls,” the 41-year-old former Ezemuli presenter said from London.
Chamisa confirmed holding “extensive discussions” with Sibanda but insisted that his candidacy was up to the people of Vungu.
“Our dictum is that to add is to strengthen, to subtract is to weaken and if given the chance to add, we choose to multiply,” Chamisa said.
“Of course one has to be a member, which Sibanda is, and one has to liaise with the district in question and membership in that district which I’m sure is being done.”
Standing in Sibanda’s way could be Mark Moyo, who represented the MDC-T in the 2008 elections but narrowly lost to Zanu PF’s Josphat Madubeko.
The party must now persuade Moyo to stand down and let Sibanda run or the two men could be subjected to a bruising primary.
Chamisa said the MDC-T was currently devising a “candidate selection mechanism” to be given to party structures after which “people will then select and elect representatives”.
Describing Sibanda as a “brand”, Chamisa said there were many prominent Zimbabweans like him who were seeking to stand as candidates in the next elections which President Robert Mugabe says should be held this year.
New Zimbabwe.com understands that the former Trade Minister Nkosana Moyo intends to run for MP on an MDC-T ticket in Bulawayo.
Chamisa said: “The democracy train to a new Zimbabwe is not yet full, it can never be full. We want all progressives to get on this train. The more the merrier!
“Real change is coming. It’s written all over people’s faces, it’s located on all the lips and loaded on all the tongues. In fact Zanu PF know more than anyone that real change is coming, that they are not ready for it is another thing.”
Labels: MDC, RADIO
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Battle for radio licence spills into court
Thursday, 15 December 2011 00:00
Herald Reporter
THE battle to control the country's airwaves and dispossess Zimbabwe Newspapers and AB Communications of their newly- acquired radio licences has spilled into the courts.
One of the unsuccessful applicants, KISS-FM has filed a notice of appeal in the Administrative Court challenging the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe's decision to award licences to Zimpapers and AB Communications.
KISS-FM's legal action, taken through their lawyers Scanlen & Holderness, follows similar efforts by MDC-T and NewsDay through Parliament, political platforms and foreign-funded lobby groups.
BAZ awarded Zimpapers and AB Communications radio licences recently after a rigorous process that included a public inquiry and compilation of voluminous bid documents.
KISS-FM director and spokesperson Ms Sharon Mugabe said in a statement that the decision will be challenged on the grounds that BAZ made crucial oversights in its adjudication process.
She said: "KISS-FM is convinced that, amongst other factors, the Authority failed to take into account a number of material considerations which led to their decision to deny KISS-FM a radio licence."
The court application follows similar efforts to have the licences rescinded through an MDC parliamentary motion, a threat by MDC-T leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to take the issue to the principals of parties in the Global Political Agreement as well as an appeal to Sadc mediator in Zimbabwe, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
While MDC-T was pursuing the matter in Parliament and through other political forums where the party has used the issue to denigrate President Mugabe, KISS-FM has taken the court route in this multi-pronged attack.
The campaign against Zimpapers and AB Communications was based on the assumption that awarding licences to the two companies would further the interests of Zanu-PF and President Mugabe even though Zimpapers is a publicly-listed company whose shareholders include insurance companies, pension funds and ordinary Zimbabweans.
Media analysts questioned the sincerity of the KISS-FM consortium whose director and spokesperson Ms Mugabe was part of President Mugabe's electronic and print media campaign in the 2008 presidential election.
Her company, Imago Young & Rubicam (IY&R), was awarded the lion's share of the Zanu-PF campaign fund, which she used to flight both print and electronic adverts for the party before the advertising agency was subsequently blacklisted for handling the Zanu-PF campaign.
Ms Mugabe bought Michael Hogg Young & Rubicam (MHY&R) in 2005 and the company consisted of an advertising unit, Imago Y&R, Network Public Relations, Wunderman Action Marketing, Ducks in a Row and Brand Value.
It provided the most comprehensive corporate communications in Zimbabwe.
Key clients then deserted the agency, precipitating a sharp fall in revenue.
Ms Mugabe, who is based in South Africa where she worked as a BancABC executive and handled its advertising account, is said to be related to the bank's chairman and shareholder Mr Douglas Munatsi who is KISS-FM chairman.
BancABC facilitated the acquisition of the South African Mail and Guardian newspaper by the owner of NewsDay, Zimbabwe Independent and Standard, Trevor Ncube.
During the public inquiry on KISS-FM's application, BAZ board members queried Mr Munatsi and BancABC's involvement in NewsDay's application for a newspaper licence as the daily's financers when it had emerged later that the newspaper's entire funding was coming from an American outfit and not BancABC.
Reliable sources said Ncube was a key player in the KISS-FM application and his shares were being warehoused by a proxy.
Details of this were likely to come out in court or the debate now raging in Parliament.
In her statement, Ms Mugabe said: "KISS-FM sees the licensing matter as one of public and national interest, and is encouraged by the ongoing conversation in the public domain.
"KISS-FM has the potential to elevate radio and broadcasting in Zimbabwe to the world-class standards which the people of Zimbabwe deserve."
Confirming KISS-FM's position, Mr Sternford Moyo, the chairman and senior partner of Scanlen & Holderness said: "The decision will be challenged on the grounds, among others, that the Authority had erred and misdirected itself in failing to take into account or in giving insufficient weight to a number of material considerations or in giving weight or excessive weight to considerations which were immaterial."
Media analysts yesterday said KISS-FM directors should respect the BAZ decision because it was a competent body.
"Shareholders of KISS-FM are well within their right to appeal, that is why the law is there but it is the same law that empowered BAZ to adjudicate," said Professor Jonathan Moyo.
"Everyone who followed the licensing, especially from the public hearing would be aware that BAZ discharged its responsibility in accordance with the laws and constitution of this country," he said.
Prof Moyo said all the applicants were Zimbabwean and none of them was more Zimbabwean than the other.
"That is not anything to do with BAZ, but arrogance. Arrogance is not a basis for a licence," he said.
Prof Moyo said all BAZ board members were appointed by MDC-T chairman Lovemore Moyo who is also the Speaker of Parliament.
"Where there are two licences and 16 applications, 14 will lose," he said.
Another analyst Mr Goodson Nguni said BAZ was a properly constituted and competent body.
"They must ask for more licences than challenge those who were awarded the two licences," he said.
Labels: LICENSES, RADIO
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Zimpapers, AB awarded radio licences
Friday, 25 November 2011 00:00
Herald Reporters
THE Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has awarded Zimbabwe Newspapers and AB Communications free-to-air broadcasting national radio licenses.
BAZ chairperson Dr Tafataona Mahoso yesterday said the awarding of licences to the two firms followed a thorough adjudication process that saw them scoring higher points among the four shortlisted applicants.
The four companies are AB Communications (Zi Radio), Zimpapers (Zimpapers Talk Radio), Hot Media (Kiss FM) and Vox Media (VOP FM).
Zimpapers group chief executive Mr Justin Mutasa was upbeat.
"As the group chief executive officer, I am very excited that Zimpapers is now on the road to be an integrated media house like the Media 24 of South or The Nation Media Group of Kenya.
"This is the vision of the company. We will be on air in the next three months," he said.
Mr Mutasa said the company was now looking for general manager/station manager, programmes scheduling manager and finance manager among other personnel.
AB Communications chief executive officer Mr Supa Mandiwanzira welcomed the awarding of the licence to his company.
"We are very ecstatic as a company. We are very proud for the broadcasting industry as a whole and for writing our own piece of history for being the first private broadcaster to be licensed in this country.
"We would like to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for the wisdom of opening up the airwaves and BAZ for their professionalism in handling the application process," he said.
Mr Mandiwanzira said they expected to start operations within six months as they said during the public hearings conducted during the application process.
He dismissed concerns in some sectors that their company was aligned to Zanu-PF.
Announcing the winners, Dr Mahoso said AB Communications scored 99 out of 106 points, while Zimpapers got 93 points.
Hot Media scored 80 while Vox Media got 70.
"On the basis of the total points scored by the applicants, AB Communications and Zimpapers, having complied with the Qualifications Process as prescribed by law and having scored the highest number of points in terms of the objectives of the Act in the Selection Process are deemed to be the winners of the two licences for the provision of free-to-air national commercial radio broadcasting services," said Dr Mahoso.
"Having completed this phase, the authority is moving on to invite applications for the provision of Local Commercial Radio Broadcasting services in 14 urban areas. The list of areas will be provided in advertisements to be published by the authority."
In outlining the process, Dr Mahoso said the selection process started with a detailed preliminary assessment of specific areas of each application against the objectives provided by the Act and identification of candidate areas for questioning during a public inquiry as set out by the law.
A public inquiry was subsequently conducted for short-listed firms.
"The last phase of the selection process, which in fact, is the final adjudication, was a comparative process whereby, on the basis of the preliminary assessment of the specific areas of each application and taking into account the information gathered during the public inquiry, the applicants scored points against the objectives provided by the Act," he said.
Labels: RADIO, TAFATAONA MAHOSO
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Zimpapers to introduce radio station
Friday, 21 October 2011 00:00
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE Newspapers (1980) Limited is ready to introduce a radio station to articulate Zimbabwe's aspirations, celebrate its culture and promote social cohesion, the firm's board chairperson Dr Paul Chimedza has said.
He said the project, to be launched within few months of securing a licence, will reflect positive language, build hope and reflect Zimbabwe's cultural and ethnic diversity.
The news content, he said, will portray life in a resurgent Zimbabwe.
Dr Chimedza said this during a Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe public hearing in which Zimpapers, one of the four shortlisted firms, is seeking a radio licence.
BAZ has shortlisted four firms out of the 14 applicants.
Zimpapers Talk Radio was the second firm to attend the public hearing after Hot Media (Kiss FM) made its presentation on Tuesday.
AB Communications and Vox Media Productions (VOP) are due to make their presentations next week.
Kiss FM directors include musician Oliver Mutukudzi, businesswoman Ms Sharon Mugabe, BancABC boss Douglas Munatsi, former Radio Three (now Power FM) staffers Musi Khumalo and Tonderayi Ndoro, Phibion Gwatidzo, Trevor Samusodza among others.
AB Communications has journalist Supa Mandiwanzira, Abigail Mvududu, Farai Rwodzi, Bruce Mujeyi, Farai Matsika, Trust Dube and Pachawo Chipurira as directors.
VOP is led by David Masunda, lawyers Mr Arnold Tsunga and Mr Tafadzwa Mugabe and Nhlanhla Ngwenya among others.
In his presentation, Dr Chimedza said Zimpapers Talk Radio was a 24-hour radio station.
"The project comes at a time Zimbabwe is coming out of a decade of political polarisation, economic hardships, social disenchantment and a state of hopelessness. People are now looking forward to a new era of economic revival, hope, peace and prosperity.
"On the economic front, factories are reopening, new shopping malls are being built, agriculture is beginning to pick up as evidenced by the record tobacco crop by new farmers and the mining sector is booming, while tourism and other sectors are also looking up."
Dr Chimedza said his roles as chairperson for Zimpapers and Transmedia boards were complementary.
He was responding to concerns raised by BAZ chairperson Dr Tafataona Mahoso on whether his dual role would not constitute conflict of interest.
He said he will recuse himself when deliberating an issue that might be perceived to be in conflict of interest.
BAZ commissioners also wanted to know if Zimpapers would not duplicate ZBC radio coverage since Transmedia had some pockets that it did not cover.
Dr Chimedza however said Zimpapers will provide funding to Transmedia to buy transmitters and enhance its coverage.
"Currently, Transmedia has one client (ZBH), for it to grow it should have many clients. Lack of funding is one reason why it has some pockets that are not covered," he said.
Zimpapers business development and marketing director Mr Tapuwa Mandimutsira said the company had a wealth of both financial and human resource base to undertake the project.
He said minority languages will be catered for, adding that Zimpapers had made comprehensive research on the need for another radio station.
Another board member, Dr Munyaradzi Kereke, said the fact that Zimpapers had incurred a loss in its half year trading did not mean that it did not have the financial muscle to launch a radio station.
"You might have bumper harvests in successive seasons, but have drought for one season . . . it does not mean you will have hunger that season because your granaries would be full," he said.
He said Zimpapers board member Mr Delma Lupepe had ceased to be director of Sedden Investments, which is also seeking a radio licence.
Dr Kereke was responding to a question from BAZ whether Mr Lupepe was not in conflict of interest by sitting on the boards of competing firms.
Zimpapers group chief executive officer Mr Justin Mutasa, group chief operating officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke and other senior managers attended the hearing.
Labels: RADIO, THE HERALD
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PANOS launches community radio station in Itezhi-Tezhi
By Agness Changala in Itezhi Tezhi
Tue 19 July 2011, 13:59 CAT
COMMUNITY radio stations provide a platform for people to voice out on issues and decisions that affect them, says PANOS Southern Africa.
And chiefs in Itezhi-Tezhi district on Thursday demanded that the community radio station in the area honours the policy which stipulates that 60 per cent of programmes be presented in Ila as opposed to the current situation where most of the programming is in English and Tonga.
At the launch of Itezhi Tezhi community radio station on Thursday, PANOS Southern Africa acting executive director Lillian Chigona said community radio stations are important because they help to foster development in communities.
“It is important to provide people with a platform where they can air out issues that affect them. Through this, they are able to question authorities on certain decisions made,” Chigona said.
She hoped that the community will give the radio station the greatest support it deserves so that it can be used to bring about development.
Chigona said the station should also come up with a strategy that will allow it to make money and become self-reliant, and warned the community against interfering with the normal operations of the radio station.
“Allow them to work effectively and independently,” Chigona said.
And the chiefs said they were not happy that despite the radio station being established in the “Ilaland”, very few programmes were presented in Ila language.
Speaking on behalf of the other chiefs, chief Chilyafubu said PANOS and the radio station must address the problem of language because it is important for them to uphold the culture and traditions of the land.
Chief Chilyafubu said people were happy to have a radio station they could call their own but urged the staff to cooperate and respect owners of the land by doing what is expected of them.
Responding to the chiefs’ demands, Chigona said they had a point and that PANOS and the community radio station would find a way of increasing Ila programmes and presenters.
According to Itezhi Tezhi Radio’s policy, 60 per cent of the programming is allocated to Ila, 20 per cent to English and 20 per cent to Tonga being the language taught in schools.
The radio station was funded and supported by Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the German government.
Labels: RADIO
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COMMENT -
" Dillard's arrogance was unbelievable. She said, "“The government needs to open its tight regulations for independent and free media. If the government liberalised the media space, there wouldn’t be any need for us.” " How can these people claim to be promoting democracy, when they are abusing and subverting the freedom of expression that already exists? What government would not crack down on hostile media when it is funded by a foreign power? This is no way to get Zimbabwe to become a more open society - it is a clear abuse of the democracy that already exists.
VOA's argument on pirate radio stations shocking
Peter Chimutsa - VOA's argument on pirate radio stations shocking
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:10:00 +0000
DEAR EDITOR - I heard an interview between two pirate radio stations regarding Botswana's move in aiding the U.S. to beam illegally into Zimbabwe. This is one of the most disturbing interviews I have ever heard.
A report on SW Radio by one Alex Bell read, "External radio service Voice of America, which hosts Studio 7, has lashed out at the government’s complaints about ‘pirate’ radio stations, calling them inaccurate and without truth.
"The group’s special broadcast, Studio 7, broadcasts from Botswana into Zimbabwe and, like SW Radio Africa, has come under fire for being a ‘pirate’ station that broadcasts ‘hate messages’ into the country."
The report further read: "VOA’s Director of Africa Broadcasting, Gwen Dillard, told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that the complaints are completely inaccurate and without truth, saying she is ‘disappointed’ by the government’s position."
"Dillard explained VOA’s government-to-government broadcast agreement with Botswana, continuing that there is 'nothing illegal or pirate about our operations'," it further read.
I cannot believe that one can say that the U.S. is beaming into Zimbabwe through a U.S. bilateral agreement with Botswana. Zimbabwe is simply not Botswana and vice versa. This is exactly the reason why it is a pirate radio station. VOA simply does not have a license to broadcast in Zimbabwe.
It is disturbing that Botswana was targetted by the U.S as a possible host of Africom - a strategic military command center of the U.S. in Africa. Why Botswana all the time?
The Zimbabwe government, like the U.S. government, simply decides on who should, or should not, broadcast within their borders. The U.S. should not bulldoze its way into Zimbabwe, for its own reasons, national security or otherwise.
Dillard's arrogance was unbelievable. She said, "“The government needs to open its tight regulations for independent and free media. If the government liberalised the media space, there wouldn’t be any need for us.”
This is blatant admission that they will continue with what is clearly a violation of Zimbabwe's laws, and it is sad that a neighbour of ours and our own journalists are helping perpetuate the breaking of our own laws.
__________
Peter Chimutsa can be reached via peterchimutsa *** yahoo.com
Labels: PROPAGANDA, RADIO, VOA
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Gullible media perpetuating Zimbabwe's problems
Tendai - Midzi Gullible media perpetuating Zimbabwe's problems
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:25:00 +0000
DEAR EDITOR - Thank you for covering the story on Botswana being used as a centre for illegal beaming by pirate radio stations into Zimbabwe. Many of our so-called 'progressive media' chose to ignore this story, yet it is one of the issues agreed upon by the two MDCs and Zanu PF party in the Global Political Agreement.
The MDCs agreed to push for the shutting down of these pirate radio stations in the Global Political Agreement. Why is the media reporting it as a Zanu PF issue only, when it is in black-and-white in the GPA? Is it that our media is naive, or simply too polarised to see any sense?
They should also criticise the MDC-T for not addressing this issue. That party also agreed to condemn sanctions. That is also in black-and-white, so why are they fooling the western-sponsored media, or is that media simply gullible?
I think Zimbabwean journalists need further training to dissect these crucial issues. Oftentimes we have the most unskilled people trying to report on complicated factual issues and making a mess of themselves.
Journalists should simply not create news, but report it. Some of the journalists we have leave a lot to be desired and that is one of the reasons why we find ourselves in this mess as a country.
Many of them think they have to agree with any western position or are simply queue for crumbs from funders to be credible. This is indeed a sad state of affairs.
____________
*Tendai Midzi works as a lecturer in economics at London Metropolitan University.
Labels: PROPAGANDA, RADIO, VOA
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‘Zambian music floods Malawian radio stations’
By Moses Kuwema
Fri 27 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
ZAMBIAN music is flooding the market in Malawi and enjoying even more airplay than the local music, local media in that country have revealed. According to the Nyasa Times of November 19, 2009, Music Association of Malawi (MAM) president Mapemba has since blamed private radio stations for the development.
Mapemba said the private radio stations were favouring Zambian music at the expense of Malawian songs.
“It’s you radio stations who are opening up Zambia music. Radio stations are giving too much air time to Zambia music,” Mapemba said during Capital Radio Straight Talk programme which was monitored live by Nyasa Times last Thursday night.
“All radio stations in Malawi have been playing Zambian music and have been playing frequently other than local music,” pointed out Mapemba.
Asked by programme host, Brian Banda, what the music association is doing about the matter, Mapemba said MAM has tried to lobby the media houses.
Banda asked Mapemba if MAM has conducted any research into why Zambian music is having more airplay, but the MAM president blamed it on the Malawian altitude toward local products.
“It’s our Malawian altitude, we are not proud of our products. Why can’t we start looking at our Malawian music as the best?” he said.
“Even our State President says time and again, it's high time Malawians loved our products,” he pointed out.
Nonetheless, Mapemba said Malawian music is “booming”.
“During the {late Daniel] Kachamba time, there were few musicians. Look today almost popular musicians are young ones. It means we are moving,” he said.
“Look now an example is Tay Grin. For the first time he has won an award. It means the music is booming,” Mapemba said.
Mapemba also disclosed that international artistes coming to perform in Malawi will have to pay a fee to the music association.
“There is no way you can leave this country if you are a footballer to play football in South Africa without being registered with the football association,” he said.
He appealed to Malawians to be first in promoting local music.
Labels: MALAWI, MUSIC, MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI, RADIO
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Six arrested over radio presenter’s burnt house
Tuesday, September 1, 2009, 16:38
Police in Nchelenge district in Luapula province have arrested six people in connection with the burning of a house belonging to a presenter at a local radio station.
Confirming the development to ZANIS, Luapula Province Police Chief, Auxencio Mbewe said the six men were picked up in the early hours of today in Kenani area.
The Provincial police chief said the men have been detained to help with police investigations in the case where Philip Kambiko, a presenter at radio Luapula lost property worth millions of kwacha after unknown people burnt his house on Saturday night.
He said the men who were apprehended with the help of the community are being held at Nchelenge police station. Mr Mbewe has paid tribute to members of the public for the support they have rendered to the police in the investigation of the matter.
It is believed that Mr Kambiko’s house was burned by people who were not happy with his condemning of destructive fishing methods being used on Lake Mweru during one of his programmes.
ZANIS
Labels: FISHING, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RADIO
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COMMENT - " Our interest rates as Mr Kopulande said are shocking. " I was astonished to learn that interest rates are set by the banks? Instead of the Ministry of Finance or an equivalent of the Federal Reserve Bank? I guess that is why the government has not control over these 30% lending rates.
Let The People talk featuring Mpondela, Kopulande
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:06:09 PM
Continued from yesterday
The secondary sector in light manufacturing, building and construction only contributed 11 per cent to GDP and only nine per cent of employment compared to 61 per cent…So the Malaysian government said, ‘No! No! No! This is not correct.’
So they came up with the Malaysian Plan and drove the economy towards manufacturing between 1960 and 1980. They embarked on an import substitution strategy which was in the first Malaysian Plan between 1966 and 1970 and went further to an export-oriented strategy in the second Malaysian Plan between 1971 and 1975.
What results did they achieve? Manufacturing started growing at a rate of 7.7 per cent between 1971 and 1978. They identified manufacturing growth leaders which were wool processing, palm oil processing, they stopped exporting palm oil, they went into processing of their palm oil, they stopped exporting their raw tobacco, they went into adding value to their raw tobacco.
They started actually producing their own textiles, final garments and all that. Instead of exporting their rubber from their huge rubber plantations, they started producing rubber products such as tyres. As at now the manufacturing sector in Malaysia contributes 44 per cent of all jobs that are held in Malaysia.
That is how you can change. Therefore, in this country before we are to learn, what do we need to do? I have failed to understand that for 45 years, we have been talking about this but there have been no serious moves re-engineering our economy and changing the complexion of this economy. We have not all these years.
We start talking about economic diversification only when we are facing a crisis like we are doing now, but economic diversification in what direction? Sam, what is our first priority for manufacturing and unfortunately Sam...I will come to this later.
We talk about economic diversification from the tops of our heads but serious economic diversification has a process and I will talk about what I call the Kopulande Theory of economic diversification. This is the concept that I developed myself which I presented at a conference in Johannesburg as to how, what should be done in diversifying an economy.
I was on radio Phoenix in the year 2002 and I presented this thesis and I was on ZNBC in 2002 at independence and presented the same thesis. No one has ever listened and yet when I presented it in Johannesburg a gentleman from African Union said to me, ‘what are you doing in Zambia, you were supposed to be at the African Union telling us how to change the African economies?’ So there is a process that we must embark on. It has to be a systematic process; I will explain the seven, eight-stage process with economic diversification.
What is needed to be done, probably not at this stage but it is important. Multi Economic Facility Zones, it’s the first serious step going towards industralising our economy, promoting the manufacturing sector. The challenge Sam is exactly what you have said, to what extent do we get Zambians involved in the Multi Economic Facility Zones? What do we need to put in place? Is the law, the threshold limit of US $ 500, 000 really realistic? Today’s interest rates in Zambia is 30 per cent plus. Can you and I go and borrow US $ 500, 000? US $ 500, 000, which is nearly K3 billion now at 30 per cent interest rate and hope to survive?
Now those people coming from outside, who are coming to invest in Multi Economic Facility Zones as foreign investors are borrowing at two per cent. In Japan, actually, interest rates today are 0.1 per cent. So if a Japanese is coming to invest in a Multi Economic Facility Zone in Zambia, he is borrowing at 0.1 per cent, a Zambian is borrowing at 30 per cent plus and you are telling him to borrow US $500, 000 to go and put in that Multi Economic Facility Zone, for God’s sake, let us get a little more serious and create conditions, let us revisit that threshold of US $ 500,000.
The initial concept, I don’t want to say what it was in Multi Economic Facility Zones. We provided for satellite in the Multi Economic Facility Zones but all that has died over time, hence kicking Zambians out because we are all limited to US $ 500,000. Sam, even I cannot borrow US $500,000. Not at 30 per cent! Not in this kind of banking environment!
Here we have situation where we don’t even have a financial institutions that are committed to long-term lending for industralisation. DBZ [Development Bank of Zambia] has been crying for capitalisation. There has been no capitalisation. Even this year in the budget, no funds have been allocated for capitalisation of the Development Bank of Zambia. Where will Zambians go to get funds from to grow their businesses and contribute to the development of their country?
Presenter: Right, you can be able to join us on this discussion on 22 6841 or 226292. Yes Fresher.
Siwale: Sam, listening to my brother Sebastian Kopulande explaining about these Multi Economic Facility Zones, it makes me sad in that our approach to develop, it’s like…[presenter interrupts to pick a call from a listener].
Presenter: Perhaps [before] you finish off, let us pick up this call.
Caller: Good morning Sam and Kopulande good morning?
Presenter: Good morning Proud?
Popular Lusaka caller Mr Proud: Mr Kopulande, I was, we want to say condolence to the rest of Manjata’s as a ruling party from the people of Zambia. We are all sorry we have lost that person [Teddy Manjata who died in a road accident last week]. Including general Tembos. [Former Republican vice-president Lt Gen Christon Tembo who died a week ago]. No matter we can differ politics but when somebody dies you need to say sorry one another.
To come to politics of this time we raised a lot of issues during elections time, so what we need from you panelists is to start seeing results from election time. Now if you yourself Mr Mpondela, you start wondering that no here in Zambia, we don’t have manufacturing industry…what about the issue of election, we raised a lot of issues now we need to see the results. What we only see results now is when you go outside the road in Kamwala as if there is no Ministry of Works and Supply.
When you to go Soweto Market, as if there is no Ministry of Works and Supply, the whole roads are dead, when you go in prisoner, even at the gate of Parliament there is a pothole now. What we see now, we need results from you. We don’t want any cadres who will go to demonstrate of sacking Magande. We are not going to eat Magande this time.
What we need now Mr Mpondela, advise our President to move in compounds to see how people are suffering. We want to see many people in employment. So many people in the Copperbelt are jobless because there is no industry. Not to take cadres to go and demonstrate over Magande. No matter you can remove Magande today as long you can’t mend potholes, the problem still going there. What we want is not to take our President as if he is a cadre now. The President is the President for all. During elections, he said he reconciled with Magande team. What we need now is development. Mr Mpondela advise the President…sugar prices are going up, what is the mistake. Is this the election that will benefit us? The answer is no!
What is wrong with dollar, from K3500 to about K6000? Those issues we want our President to start solving. It was broadcast yesterday that he had a meeting with Zambia National Farmers Union officials. There is no employment. We need our President to look at all these matters not to take our President to go and demonstrate. To demonstrate for what? Who is his enemy? The President should start talking. He should bring medicines in hospitals, give vehicles to police officers in Ng’ombe, Garden and Kamwala compound. Those issues we are going to develop the economy of Zambia, not just demonstrations by cadres. We want development from our President. Thank you very much.
Presenter: We have got somebody on the line. Hello good morning?
Caller: Yes good morning. How are you?
Presenter: Who is calling?
Caller: My name is Rodgers Ng’ambi calling from Lusaka. First of all, I would like to say I have got a lot of respect for Mr Mpondela and Mr Kopulande. These are people who have been distinguished in society and I want to believe them that they can be able to help us a lot. I was saddened to hear that our legislators can go to Parliament and enact laws that are already existing and sometimes contradict with the existing ones, I am very sad.
Also to hear that our reserves are kept in England. What I want to know is Mr Kopulande, he has been well connected, when did he realise that there were these loopholes for him to start talking today? I think that he can use his influence to change all these things because I know that he is a person who has been in the limelight for a long time, even now this man is capable of even going to State House and speak. Where has Mr Kopulande been for all these things to be where they are up to now? Can I have a comment from him please? Thank you.
Presenter: Before we lose that, you comment Mr Kopulande?
Kopulande: Sam, thank you very much. I have spent the last 18 years very closely linked to government. The last 18 years of my professional life since 1991, I entered government as a senior private secretary to vice-president then Levy Mwanawasa, the late president. I worked there and after that, I went to the Ministry of Commerce [, Trade and Industry] as director of industry and I was then promoted to permanent secretary to Ministry without Portfolio and I am pleased to say, I can say that I was actually permanent secretary for then Honourable Michael Sata presently the president of PF [opposition Patriotic Front]. I then moved to State House as controller and permanent secretary. I left government, then went back as special assistant to late president Mwanawasa. Yes it is true I have been closely associated with government.
Now the truth of the matter - is if you look at the service positions that I have held, they have been all advisory. When you are an advisor, your duty ends at advising and you are not the decision maker. Civil servants are advisors, yes we have advised…some of our advice have been taken, others have not been taken. So it is not a duty of an advisor to go screaming on Radio Phoenix that ‘no my advice was not taken’ and all that. No! No! No! Our role is to advise. So we have advised, I have advised, I have known these issues for many years, I have written volumes on these issues and I have never been lazy in terms of advising. Why? Sam, because I have had the privilege to have a good exposure both academically and in terms of hands-on experience to be able to advise effectively and to be able to do the right thing.
Presenter: We have another caller on the line. Hello? Oh, we have lost the caller. You may continue.
Kopulande:…so at the end of the day, these are issues that we are addressing at every point the nation must be ready to look at itself and be able to devise strategies and ways and means to move forward as a nation.
Presenter: Hello?
Caller: Good morning brother Sam Sakala?
Presenter: Yes Mr Konoso, how are you?
Caller Konoso: Good morning Mr Kopulande?
Kopulande: Yes my friend how are you?
Konoso: Morning Mr Mpondela and Siwale. How are you?
Mpondela and Siwale: Okay, how are you Konoso?
Konoso: I am okay. I think Zambia, when I look at ourselves, we are our own worst enemies. Look at the situation of development. I will give Kasaba Bay as a very good example. Here we are, we have a Republican President and he is proud to bring in a foreigner, a Zimbabwean to take over Kasaba Bay. I thought Mr Mpondela there is doing a good job running a lodge in Lusaka, a very clean, hygienic lodge. Why can’t the President take Mr Mpondela and take over Kasaba Bay so that the money is left in Zambia by Zambians for Zambians?
These are little things that make me very suspicious of how are we going to develop if we hate each other like that where it is clear they prefer people from foreign countries to go and take over Kasaba Bay? That is very wrong and I condemn that action.
In fact, when that muzungu [white man] comes to take over Kasaba Bay, he should be chased. Talking about the economic development, we cannot ba Mpondela here in Zambia because our production costs are crazy.
We have Angola which has cheap oil but nobody wants cheap oil from Angola. We want fuel from Kuwait where it can be hijacked by those pirates in the gulf of Eden in Somalia. They are hijacking tankers.
Look at Botswana…it’s a very good country. The Botswana pula is intact; it has not depreciated the way our currency has lost value. In fact the bishops in their pastoral letter, they said the kwacha has collapsed.
So it’s really the way we manage our country. We are managed completely wrongly because why is it that our neighbour Botswana is intact? It’s not really affected as much as we are. Petrol in Botswana is five pula which is K3200. Us here petrol is K5800. So meaning I want to do business and a Tswana man wants to do business, automatically when he wants to export his product, he will be able to make a profit. A minibus driver in Botswana will make more money for the family than a minibus driver in Lusaka.
So already we are starting from a disadvantaged position. We are already crippled before we even talk about development.
Our interest rates as Mr Kopulande said are shocking. All over the world, central banks have cut interest rates to one per cent, two per cent, but here, Zambians we are borrowing from banks at over 30 per cent. Now how do you do business if you are going to borrow money and lose so much money? The way I look at it, the way forward right now since our currency has collapsed, we should start using the US dollar like what they are doing in Zimbabwe because the US dollar for now, you may think it’s a joke, Zimbabwe was also a strong economy, whoever thought the Zimbabwe dollar would sink that way? There is cholera there; there is cholera here, what is the difference?
If you Mr Kopulande had K200 million last year put in a Zambian bank, you would have lost 60 per cent of it, meaning you would have lost K120 million by it sitting in a Zambian bank. If Mr Kopulande you had kept that K200 million in US dollars and you offloaded that K200 million in US dollars right now you would have gained K120 million. So the Bank of Zambia should consider that. Zambia won’t be the first.
Even in Argentina when the currency collapsed they used the US dollar until the currency picked. When it picked that was when they reverted to their currency. The Kwacha has collapsed. In a country where a kwacha is collapsed, you see people smiling all over. We are not supposed to be smiling; we are supposed to be angry.
But we are playing jokes. The other thing, our education system needs to be improved. You are going to put Multi Economic Facility Zones for illiterate people, how are they going to manage? The world has changed. To make a car now is computerised but our children in Bauleni or Chibolya basic schools have no laptops, how do you take that person to go and work in a factory which will manufacture. The illiteracy levels are just too high. We are going nowhere.
Kopulande: Yes Mr Konoso, if I may just answer on your proposal that we start using the US dollar. Yes, the kwacha has collapsed there is no question about that. Just as I was coming to the radio station, I passed through the bureau de change, there is a bureau downstairs the selling rate right now is K5700 as at this morning. Now, not all is lost. There are things that we can do…
Presenter: Let us pick this call then you will continue. Hello?... You can continue Mr Kopulande.
Kopulande: Not all is lost for the kwacha. If we take the necessary interventions…
Presenter: The caller is back. Hello?
Caller (Albert Musonda): I am so concerned about the so-called investors who are purporting to invest in our country but in the end they are just here to loot our resources. Can I take you back during Mwanawasa’s time, when the miners wanted to demonstrate and Mr Mwanawasa went there to attack them that, ‘how can you demonstrate when these people have come to invest in the country and they have given you jobs?’
Surely can you say these people have come to give Zambian people jobs when they are paying them K150, 000? What is that? Can you surely protect and defend the investors at the expense of the Zambians. That is not fair to us. These people when copper prices were at US$4,500 somewhere they enjoyed everything and gave Zambians peanuts, nothing compared to what they got from the sales of our copper. And today they want to pull out. They have cut jobs and have done this and that to the Zambian people. And us Zambians are just there to watch and see what is happening.
I think it is imperative that our Zambian government should stand up and protect Zambian people. This is our country and we never applied to be born in this country and we deserve better than we are receiving at the moment. It’s better for them to…and we remain as Zambians because we have manpower and we can do it. I can tell you we can do it.
What is important is for the government to support the Zambian investors who cannot take everything out of this country but they can invest in this country because they belong to Zambia. We are calling upon the government to protect Zambians especially the mine workers who are suffering and mind you this is a time bomb, people who have lost their jobs might turn to be criminals and the government will not be able to bring that to an end. The earlier the better! It is better for these people to go and we remain as Zambians and invest in those mines. They are here to loot our resources and nothing else. I repeat Zambian people should stand up and protect what belongs to them.
Siwale: Mr Musonda who is the government? You are the government. Now if you yourself do not stand up for what is yours, those you have put in office as leaders will continue to do as they wish because we lost it between 1968 and 1972 when we replaced the institution of government with an individual. So in 1991 when [Frederick] Chiluba came in, we thought we had changed the system, no we had not changed the system, we just changed the individual.
Labels: DECENTRALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, INTEREST RATES, LET THE PEOPLE TALK, MANUFACTURING, MFEZ, RADIO, SEBASTIAN KOPULANDE
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MISA calls for quick enactment of IBA Act
Written by Agness Changala
Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:33:02 PM
DELAYS in the implementation of the Independent Broadcasting (IBA) Act is prohibiting the establishment of more community radio stations in the country, MISA Zambia chairperson Henry Kabwe has observed.
During the unveiling of equipment for 11 community radio stations provided by Irish Aid and Diakonia at a cost of US $192,752 in Lusaka yesterday, Kabwe said challenges faced by the media should not deter communities from setting up more community radio stations.
He said MISA Zambia was concerned that a number of intended community radio stations which had applied for broadcast licenses had not been granted due to a number of reasons such as the lack of implementation of the IBA Act.
“Let me therefore appeal to the government to quickly implement the IBA Act,” he said.
And Kabwe said the provision of radio equipment by Irish and Diakonia needed to be complemented by all stakeholders to support the growth of the community radio sector.
Among the community radio stations that will benefit from the support include Sky FM and Chikuni in Monze, Radio Mano in Kasama, Chikaya in Lundazi, Radio Maria in Chipata, Zambezi and Mosi-O-Tunya in Livingstone. Others include Yangeni in Mansa, Explorer in Petauke and Maranatha in Kabwe.
Labels: INDEPENENT BROADCASTING ACT, MISA, RADIO
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Police arrest Radio Chengelo manager Fr Bwalya over post-election programme
Written by Zumani Katasefa and Speedwell Mupuchi in Kitwe
Thursday, November 13, 2008 8:22:26 AM
RADIO Chengelo station manager Fr Frank Bwalya was yesterday picked up by Kitwe police officers after conducting a special live post-elections programme.
The police officers went to Radio Chengelo around 16:30 hours when Fr Bwalya's programme was on air.
The officers ordered that the programme be cancelled, claiming that it was inciting the people. But workers at the station said it was not possible to end the programme because it was live.
The officers waited for Fr Bwalya and immediately picked him up after he ended his programme. Fr Bwalya was then taken to Kitwe district police headquarters for questioning and interrogated for about 45 minutes, from 17:15 hours to 18:00 hours.
Police then moved Fr Bwalya to an unknown place but believed to be Kalulushi where he was detained.
At Kitwe Police Station, the officers almost detained journalists who were covering Fr Bwalya's arrest. The police officers also prevented journalists from following the car, registration number ABA 7383, in which Fr Bwalya was bundled.
Immediately after the vehicle carrying Fr Bwalya left the police premises, police officers closed the entrance and warned that they did not want any other car to follow them.
"We can detain and charge you for disorderly conduct at the police station," one police officer said.
Fr Bwalya was not accompanied by a lawyer and was alone as he was being whisked away from the police station. Former Kitwe mayor Marita Kasonde openly wept as Fr Bwalya was being led away from the police station. Kasonde threatened to undress before the police officers.
Earlier when contacted, Fr Bwalya confirmed his detention but said he would comment on the matter after 20 minutes. But when attempts were made to contact him later, his mobile phone had been switched off.
Mission Press director Fr Miha Drevensek warned the government not to play with Radio Chengelo because it served the people of the Copperbelt Province.
Fr Miha said it was unacceptable for the government to intimidate an innocent Catholic priest when there were many issues that needed their attention such as the rising prices of mealie meal in the country.
Fr Miha said the police officers should have gone to the Bishop of Ndola Diocese who is in charge of the radio station.
He also wondered why the police never pursued losing Ndola Central constituency MMD candidate Mary Zambezi and her supporters who almost abducted, harassed and insulted Post reporter Abigail Chaponda in Ndola over a story she wrote on the verification of ballot papers.
"Fr Bwalya's arrest is an affront to press freedom. Why should they take a Catholic priest like a criminal? Government is playing with the people of the Copperbelt. I beg them not to play with the people because Radio Chengelo is their baby. Mealie-meal prices are high and that is an insult because people are suffering," Fr Miha said.
"Let them cool the situation instead of blowing it up because people are angry. The political situation needs to be cooled down, not with harassment and intimidation, but by fulfilling their election promises of a better life for all.
"If they [government] want to express themselves, let them go and speak to the people on Radio Chengelo. Let them speak to the people."
Labels: FREEDOM OF SPEECH, RADIO, RADIO CHENGELO
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Phone-in
By Editor
Wednesday September 24, 2008 [04:00]
FULL and free discussion should be promoted and defended at all costs.
For Zambia to grow and prosper, ideas must be nourished through free discussion. A bad idea will find few takers in the market place.
And we believe that a free, independent and plural media will help promote full and free discussion in our country. Full and free discussion keeps a society from becoming stagnant and unprepared for the stresses and strains that work to tear all its achievements to pieces.
However, for full and free discussion, one needs a vigorous, flourishing, pluralistic press and for this, there is need to regard the media not merely as an extension of the public relations machinery of those in government, of those in the ruling party, but as independent players in the governance of our country.
The media is not meant to protect those in government, those in the ruling party from critics. It is meant to protect people from government, from the politically, economically and socially powerful, not the government or ruling party from people. We say this because informed public opinion is the most potent of all restraints upon misgovernment. For this reason, any moves by those in power, in government and in the ruling party to censor, to limit the scope of the media cannot be regarded otherwise than with grave concern.
It doesn't make sense to tell our radio and television stations not to broadcast any voice until they are sure it will offend nobody. If this is the case, very few things would be broadcast. While the politically powerful are allowed to have live programmes on radio and television without any form of censorship from any quarter, the ordinary man and woman is being prevented from enjoying similar privileges. Imagine if all the printers were determined not to print anything until they are sure it would offend nobody - there would be very little printed.
The whole point of a free media is not to make politicians and their utterances and actions exempt from criticism but to expose them to it. This right should not be taken away from our people arbitrarily by any executive directive or indeed by any law.
We hold that the greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong, that in the exercise thereof, people have an inviolable right to express their unbridled thoughts on all topics and personalities, being liable only for the abuse of that right. And this is not to say they can only enjoy this right when they are right, but not when they are wrong. Rights of this nature don't have to be earned by good, responsible or acceptable conduct. Such rights don't have to be earned.
In this regard, we welcome the decision by all our media bodies to oppose the advice given by information and broadcasting permanent secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda to all community and commercial radio stations to stop phone-in programmes. The freedom they are promoting and defending is one that protects unpopular and even inaccurate speech. This freedom would be a farce if it meant merely the freedom to broadcast pleasant things.
It is often said that a free media - which often forces us to confront that which we may find unsettling - is the price of democracy. We believe a free media is not costly to society, it is, in fact, a reward of democracy.
Every man or woman should have undoubted right to lay what sentiments he or she pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the media; but if he or she causes to be broadcast or published that which is improper, defamatory, mischievous, or illegal, he or she must take the consequences of his or her own temerity. Of course, we should appreciate the fact that the right to be heard does not include automatically the right to be taken seriously.
For these reasons, it doesn't make sense for the government to try and censor phone-in radio or television programmes because they subject some politicians to insults and defamation. The mere fact that speech is accompanied by conduct does not mean that speech should be suppressed under the guise of prohibiting the conduct. And as we have warned before, those who staunchly espouse free media and then seek to censor it must be wary that from today's decision might leach tomorrow's hypocrisy.
We do appreciate the difficulties that are there in editing live programmes. And indeed there is technology that can enable us edit live programmes. If we need live broadcasts, it may be necessary that we acquire this technology and use it. If not, a lot of care may be needed before we have live broadcasts. But the decision of whether to acquire this technology or not and of whether to have live broadcasts and phone-in programmes should be left to the media. It should never be an imposition on them by the government or anyone else. However, if someone is defamed or legally offended on such programmes, they should be ready to meet the consequences of their decisions.
Edit we must, using whatever means are at our disposal. But this should not be to stifle conflict or conviction, but to eliminate debasement. We must accept the fact that we live in a society where respect for truth is decreasing at a very fast rate and where lies and calumny are the order of the day. People talk confidently about things they don't know at all and if one is careless, they can easily pass them as truth. They talk about people they have never seen and know very little about as if they know them so well. They phone in on radio and television programmes and accuse people of all sorts of things in a manner that is not only defamatory but also unfair and unjust.
Few would argue that the media always carry out its functions responsibly. They can be sensational, superficial, intrusive, inaccurate and inflammatory. However, the solution to this is not to devise regulations or laws that set some arbitrary definition of what is right for them to do or wrong for them to do, but to broaden the level of public discourse so that citizens can better sift through the chaff of misinformation and rhetoric to find the kennels of truth. It is said that when freedom is diseased, the only cure for it is more and more freedom.
And this is in line with the advice given by Madiba on this score: "None of our irritations with the perceived inadequacies of the media should ever allow us to even suggest faintly that the independence of the press could be compromised or coerced... There is an old saying that freedom and order are constantly in tension with one another in society. Order without freedom leads to totalitarianism. Freedom without order leads to anarchy. It is also said that societies recover quicker and more healthily from too much freedom than they do from totalitarianism."
What is surprising is that these phone-in programmes have been around for a long time now and those in government have not raised any concerns. Their senses only seem to have been aroused by the difficulties those representing Rupiah Banda have faced on such programmes. We all know that Rupiah's campaigners - Vernon Mwaanga, Ben Tetamashimba, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika - have been harangued on these programmes by callers. And things had really become bad for them, while the opposition seem to have been receiving favourable calls on such programmes. This is where the problem lies as far as those in government today are concerned. We don't think they would have reacted in the same way if the callers were always denouncing opposition leaders and praising Rupiah and his campaigners.
Censoring such programmes will not help matters much. What they should pay attention to is what the people are saying and what has earned them such hatred and disrespect from the people.
Labels: RADIO
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QFM suspends live phone-in programme
By Chibaula Silwamba
Sunday September 21, 2008 [04:00]
LUSAKA'S Radio QFM has suspended its popular live phone-in programme following information and broadcasting services Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda's directive to use special technology to screen calls before they are broadcast.
But Nyirenda said he did not direct QFM to buy special equipment for monitoring calls, but offered management timely advice to refrain from using phone-ins over which they have no control on what the caller would say.
A QFM announcer on Friday evening announced: "We apologise, we are unable to conduct our usual interview. This is a directive by information and broadcasting services permanent secretary Mr Emmanuel Nyirenda to handle phone in programmes with the use of special technology to facilitate the screening of calls.
"Mr Nyirenda has observed that some radio stations have political programmes which provide unbalanced and in some cases unfair coverage to political parties.
Until some of the issues raised are addressed, the 18:30 live QFM programme will be suspended and the QFM management would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
But when contacted yesterday, Nyirenda said he did not call upon QFM to use any equipment.
"I have simply warned that in an election period, when you have these live programmes and people phone in, you stand a danger of people making insults and defamatory statements for which you have no means to get the other party to respond and I am advising them that it will be best for them in this period to refrain from using phone-ins which they have no control," Nyirenda explained.
"It's an appeal and not a directive. It's timely advice which goes to people operating radio stations. It does not side with anyone, whether ruling party or opposition; anybody can defame the other during phone-in programmes. But if they go ahead and end up in trouble over defamation, at least we will have warned them in advance."
He said he was not asking QFM to buy equipment to screen calls but only observed that with such equipment, it would be much easier to control phone calls.
Nyirenda said no one should perceive his advice to QFM as a directive meant to stifle the radio station from carrying out its operations independently.
"They want to make it look like...because it's an election, I am trying to prevent them. No!" said Nyirenda. "I am just advising them that these things they ought to be careful about and the need for them to be balanced because you know you have a situation where you are talking on an economic issue and then somebody phones in and starts attacking somebody else over a totally different subject. That person who is being attacked is not on the live programme and has no means to respond."
QFM's special evening interview, which has been running for about a week now, has featured several politicians such as Vernon Mwaanga, MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba, MMD founding member Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika and UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema, who have been 'grilled' by callers.
The callers have been forthright in demanding honest answers from politicians ahead of the October 30 presidential elections, in which Hichilema, MMD's Rupiah Banda and Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata are contenders.
Labels: EMMANUEL NYIRENDA, QFM, RADIO
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Black Londoners in solidarity with Zim
Peter Mavunga
Those who fought in Zimbabwe’s war of liberation taught us never to give up in the face of adversity. For when the struggle appears so tough that giving up is the only option, it is then that rallying round in unity to the cause is crucial.
The massacres at Nyadzonia and Chimoio in Mozambique, for instance, were of such a grand scale that the squeamish would have quit the struggle. The Thomas Nhari rebellion was another huge setback to the struggle, but the fighting cadres and their leaders never gave up.
They might have reached the depth of their despair. The world around them might have seemed so hostile; but their pledge to hang on in there meant they survived to see some glimmer of hope when they scored successes, however modest, in the future.
Imagine their relief when they achieved some victories against the enemy soon after such tragedies! It would have given them hope that the struggle that seemed so meaningless and futile only recently, was suddenly worthwhile.
Imagine their joy at hearing, for instance, words of support from other progressive forces. It would have lifted their spirits in a big way.
It is the lifting of the spirit of a people under attack that was ringing in my head when I was listening to Radio Gallaxy last Sunday afternoon.
Radio Gallaxy is unique in two respects. First, it is a small broadcasting service targeting Black people who live in London. Second, its name, the "de-brainwashing radio station", is probably the antidote Zimbabweans need in light of the propaganda machine that is working for regime change.
Last Sunday between 1pm and 4pm, there was a "phone-in" and the subject was Zimbabwe. As you can imagine, the phones never stopped ringing. What was surprising to me, I hasten to add, is the strength of solidarity expressed by the callers, especially Black women.
It was a complete role reversal in that those who were jamming the phones with their enthusiasm to express their views were not the anti-Zanu-PF and anti-Mugabe brigade, at least the part of the broadcast that I listened to.
I heard a woman ring to ask the presenter, Bongo Tete, what natural resources Zimbabwe had. When she was given a list, the caller then pointed out that these natural resources were the reason why Gordon Brown, on behalf of Britain, was interfering in the affairs of the country.
Another Black woman was so appalled by the prospect of seeing Zimbabwe’s gains lost through the elections of March 29.
"Since Mugabe is out of the Commonwealth, why did he bother with elections? Castro handed over to his brother; and they cannot tell Putin what to do. Yet they still go to Africa and point a finger. Why did Mugabe bother to have these elections," she asked?
It was a rhetorical question put forward for effect. And the effect was that yet another Black sister phoned to complain about the distorted image of Zimbabwe and Black people generally that is portrayed in the mainstream media while white people were presented as whiter than white.
This elicited an interjection from the co-presenter who asked: was it not Bill Clinton, former US President, who said he had not had sex "with that woman!" Was he not the one again who reported smoking drugs but not inhaling?
The message the caller was making was that "these people are liars". The problem, she said, was that we Black people tend to buy into these lies, which was a shame.
But she went on to say that Black people tended to fight among themselves but that they were generally not war mongers who went out to conquer other nations.
Then the caller asked why so many Zimbabweans had fled their country to come and live in the Diaspora? Again this question was asked, not in the way mainstream media would have asked the question, basically to show how bad and corrupt Mugabe was but rather to urge all Zimbabweans to "go home and rebuild your country — now."
"Don’t allow people who do not have the interests of Zimbabwe at heart to dominate you," she said whilst at the same time commenting that she did not even know what Tsvangirai’s policies were.
The uniqueness of the show was that most of the callers were non-Zimbabweans though not exclusively so. For instance, the only male Zimbabwean I heard on the show was scathing in his criticism of the mainstream news media which he said had taken over our issues.
Tigere was also mildly critical of President Mugabe for being too lenient with the white people in Zimbabwe. He said from independence, the president was keen on reconciliation, a policy that ensured the erstwhile privileged class continued to enjoy those privileges.
"We have relatives who died during this period, we do not even have their bones to bury them properly, yet the thrust of the policy at independence was not to redress the imbalance," he said.
The presenter, a Jamaican man who never the less sees his real home as being in Africa, went a bit further in criticising President Mugabe.
"He did not do enough to defend our people," he said in agreement with Tigere. He is the leader, he should have used troops to remove the whites from the farms by force.
But Tigere continued to explain that the war vets invaded the farms in 1999 of their own free will and not on the president’s instructions as some would like us to believe. The West in fact urged President Mugabe to send in army troops to remove them. The President had a choice to have them removed but to his credit, he supported them.
This drew a comparison of Presidents Mugabe and Museveni where, in a similar situation, the latter put his weight against the struggling people.
Tigere, in conclusion, said it would be a shame if Zimbabweans lost through elections what they gained through their revolutionary struggles.
The commentator agreed.
The next caller let it be known that her preference was to let the African come first in matters relating to African development, not puppets, she said.
Another caller referred to the President’s Independence speech from which she drew the inference that he was doing no harm to his people. How could he when he was challenging his people appropriately: "do not let the white man steal our land."
A second Black man after Tigere called to express his concern about Zimbabwe and wondered whether the southern African state belonged to the UK? He suggested that if the British are so keen on repossessing their former colonies, they should try to re-acquire Hong Kong
His point was that the British would not dare do this for fear that all hell would let loose from the Chinese. The man expressed his passion for Zimbabwe and said that the west "should leave Zimbabwe alone."
Another caller said what Black people the world over are going to do about Zimbabwe was important. As this phone-in programme showed, it was likely to be no more than "hot air" unless we were prepared to act on it.
Referring to the "Isis Papers", she said Black people usually did nothing about their situation because of their failure to critically analyse their situation.
This prompted another caller to say that she was ready to go and demonstrate, not at the Zimbabwe Embassy as do the anti-Zimbabwe brigade every week, but at Downing Street to tell the occupant to stop interfering with Zimbabwe and to stop the sanctions.
A London-based Ghanaian woman also called to say she had studied Advertising. She said this was a discipline concerned not with truth but about image. The main issue for them was to convey their message to you and their message about Zimbabwe, whether true or not, is that there should be regime change.
This is a taste of what I heard on Radio Galaxy last Sunday. The De-Brainwashing station has been providing this service to Londoners for the past 28 years. It was formed by Bongo Tete, a Jamaican man with a military background. When he left the army in 1982, he realised there was no community radio serving the Black community in London.
Having first joined a hospital community radio station in south London, he decided he could run his own community radio station. The station is funded by the people who give voluntarily.
He has been to Ghana four times and hopes one day to be in Zimbabwe. He is very keen to link up with people in Zimbabwe so that they can speak to Londoners directly through his de-brainwashing station.
Labels: RADIO, RADIO GALAXY, ZIMBABWE
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Magistrate orders Radio Liseli to compensate ULP's Nyambe
By Nyambe Muyumbana in Mongu
Monday April 14, 2008 [04:00]
MONGU Principal Resident magistrate Bernard Mwanandiwa has ordered Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu to pay United Liberal Party (ULP) national deputy chairman for elections and campaign, Lawrence Nyambe, K30 million for damaging his reputation.
This was a case in which Nyambe sued Oblate Radio Liseli as first defendant and ULP Western Province spokesperson Teddy Chimbinde 46, as second defendant for defamation of character. Facts before the court were that on January 31 and February 1, 2008, Oblate Radio Liseli aired news broadcasts both in Silozi and English, saying that Nyambe was promised to be given a cow by Kalunga Mulandula, a losing ULP candidate in last year’s by election in Liuwa, if he was to be adopted.
The news broadcast further said that after contacted for a comment, Nyambe refuted the allegations saying that he was not promised a cow by Kalunga if he was to adopt him. The story also quoted Teddy as saying that no one was allowed to speak to the press concerning party matters apart from himself and the party provincial sectary Kufekisa Mwananyanda.
Nyambe contended that the broadcast was defamatory and was meant to tarnish his name in the public’s eyes because he was not promised a cow by Mulandula so that he could be adopted as ULP Liuwa candidate.
In delivering judgment, Mwanandiwa said he was convinced with the evidence produced before the court confirmed that Oblate Radio Liseli did air the defamatory news broadcast and wondered why it did so even after the plaintiff refuted the allegations.
Labels: LIABEL, RADIO, ULP
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Zimbabwe begins tests of its world radio
By George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Wednesday June 06, 2007 [04:00]
ZIMBABWE has begun test transmissions for its new world radio broadcasting station – Voice of Zimbabwe. And Zimbabwe is expected to commence world television transmissions before the end of this year. The Voice of Zimbabwe will broadcast on shortwave band, which would enable it to reach all parts of the world. The station’s transmissions are intended to reach specific audiences as far as Europe,
Australia and the United States of America (USA). Voice of Zimbabwe/TV channel 104, general manager Happison Muchechetere said the test run would go on for a few weeks during which the station would be receiving feedback from the audience from several parts of the world.
Muchechetere also said the station would start with radio broadcasting and that television broadcasts were expected to commence before the end of the year. He encouraged Zimbabweans both home and abroad to listen to the station and get first-hand information about the true Zimbabwe.
Muchechetere further said the station had been receiving feedback both from locals and listeners from neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana. He also said the country’s world broadcasting station’s mandate would not be to disseminate propaganda.
Muchechetere said the station would provide a balanced account of events in Zimbabwe through impartial discussions, analyses and news reports. The station is broadcasting on 5,975 kilohertz (kHz) or 49 metre band during day time and 60 metre band or 4, 828 kHz in the evening.
President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson and Ministry of Information and Publicity permanent secretary George Charamba, graced the switch-testing ceremony of the new channel, which is based in the city of Gweru.
Labels: RADIO, ZIMBABWE
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