(MISA/IFEX) – The Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo, has defended the Broadcasting Services Act 2001, saying that the adverse report by the Parliamentary Legal Committee has no bearing since the House is superior and has the final say, “The Financial Gazette” reported on 5 April 2001. In an interview with […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo, has defended the Broadcasting Services Act 2001, saying that the adverse report by the Parliamentary Legal Committee has no bearing since the House is superior and has the final say, “The Financial Gazette” reported on 5 April 2001.
In an interview with the paper, Moyo said that no committee is superior to the House, adding that the committee makes reports to the full Parliament which has the mandate to decide. Moyo also said that he would stick by the report from the Attorney General, which dismissed the adverse report.
Furthermore, “The Herald” reports that the Broadcasting Services Act 2001 will affect the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) as well, particularly the clause regarding local programme content.
Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) members of parliament proposed amendments to some sections of the Bill without success, as Moyo dismissed their suggestions as without merit. MDC MP’s wanted Moyo to amend the bill so that the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe becomes the supreme licensing authority. Mangono, who is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications, proposed unsuccessfully that the Broadcasting Authority’s members be appointed by an assembly of all registered media and listeners’ associations, and that foreigners who want to work in the broadcasting industry must not be barred, but go through the existing channels for applying for a work permit. Mangono also proposed that licences be valid for four years and not one. The Bill was passed into law after twelve hours of intense debate.
