(MISA/IFEX) – The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has allegedly banned the flighting of a new set of Econet Wireless advertisements meant to introduce a new cellular contract package branded “Liberty”, for what have been cited as ethical reasons, reports the “Financial Gazette” newspaper. Sure Chimbga, spokesman for Econet Wireless, reportedly confirmed that the company’s advertising […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has allegedly banned the
flighting of a new set of Econet Wireless advertisements meant to introduce a new cellular contract package branded “Liberty”, for what have been cited as ethical reasons, reports the “Financial Gazette” newspaper.
Sure Chimbga, spokesman for Econet Wireless, reportedly confirmed that the company’s advertising agency, Dicomm Advertising, had been verbally informed by the ZBC that the broadcaster could not flight the advertisements on either radio or television, for ethical reasons. The banned advertisements feature a man dressed as a judge in court, imploring
Zimbabweans to “free themselves” using the Liberty package.
Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, who is alleged to have ordered the removal of the advertisements, denied the charge. ZBC Director General Luke Munyawarara refused to be interviewed on the matter by the “Financial Gazette” and insisted he had no comment, while Annan Maruta, the ZBC’s head of news and public affairs, said he was not qualified to comment, and referred the matter to Munyawarara.
In another promotional campaign of the Econet brand, the company had, with the approval of municipality authorities, hoisted white flags carrying the message, “Liberty, Express Yourself” on lamp posts along Harare’s Samora Machel Avenue. These have been pulled down. According to the “Financial Gazette”, Minister of Information Moyo was said to have given the council an ultimatum for the flags to be pulled down by 4:00 p.m. (local time) on 8 November 2000, failing which he would instruct the police to remove them. Council officials were reportedly not available for comment.
Econet is the single largest advertiser on the ZBC and in most newspapers in the country. The company’s advertisements are believed to have accounted for one third of the ZBC’s entire advertising revenue last year. The liberty campaign was set to earn ZBC Zim$2million (approx. US$36,344) between now and January 2001.
Telecoms analysts said there was nothing unethical about the new set of advertisements, but believed that Econet was being punished for a series of court cases it had won against the government. Econet has also been accused of funding the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, a charge the company denies.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the minister of information and publicity:
– calling on him to demonstrate his commitment to freedom of expression, uphold the democratic and constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of expression, and explain the unethical nature of the advertisements
Send appeals to the ZBC director general:
– demanding an immediate explanation for the refusal to flight the advertisements
– noting that as head of a public institution, he is accountable for his actions to the public
Send appeals to the City of Harare Commission:
– asking for an investigation and full explanation for the unjustified dismantling of the Econet flags, in spite of their having granted them permission
Send appeals to the Advertising Media Association (ADMA):
– seeking clarification on whether the advertisements are unethical or not
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:Professor Jonathan Moyo
Minister of Information and Publicity
Office of the President
Bag 7700, Harare
Tel: +263 04 707 091/7 ext 2099
Fax: +263 04 70638
E-mail: zimonline@gta.gov.zwMr Luke Munyawarara
The Director General
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
HG444
Highlands, Harare
Tel: +263 04 498 670
Fax: +263 04 498 613
E-mail: zbcdg@africaonline.co.zwDr Elijah Chanakira
Chairman
City of Harare Commission
Box 990, Harare
Tel: +263 04 781 811
Fax: +263 04 751 127 / 24
E-mail: hhem@africaonline.co.zwThe Chairman
Advertising Media Association
Box 5438, Harare
Tel: +263 04 706 8027
Fax: +263 04 706 958
E-mail: finance@pbf.co.zwPlease copy appeals to the source if possible.
