6 April 2018
Chief Executive Officer
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
Chief Executive Officer
ZIMPAPERS Limited T/A Star FM & Diamond FM
Chief Executive Officer
AB Communications (Pvt) Ltd T/A Zi FM; Hevoi FM & 98.4 Midlands FM
The Chairman
Ray of Hope (Pvt) Ltd t/a Ya FM
Chief Executive Officer
Fairtalk Communication pvt, Ltd T/A Breeze FM es Skies Metro FM
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Kingston Holdings (Pvt) Ltd t/a Capitalk FM & Nyami Nyami FM
BROADCASTING OF FAITH AND TRADITIONAL HEALING ADVERTISING CONTENT
Please kindly be advised that the Authority has observed with concern the use of broadcast stations as platforms for advertising faith and traditional healing powers and the use of scientifically untested methods of treatment and healing by certain individuals and churches to the socluding the u. unverifiable testimony,.
This observation by the Authority is supported by numerous complaints by members of the public to the Radio and Television Stations revealed by the Stations’ complaints registers and on social media.
Needless to point out that for some Stations, the broadcasts have impacted on the expected wider focus of the Stations to inform. educate and entertain the public, and, rather emerged as priority programming to the disappointment viewers and listeners.
To this extent, considering the Authority’s mandate to promote the interests of Consumers in respect of the quality of broadcasting services provided by licensees, account being taken of the prohibition in terms of paragraph 27(4)(e), of the Broadcasting Services ‘Licensing and Content, Regulations, 2004 of advertisement which misleads the public and in the interest of protecting members of the public who are likely to believe in whatever comes out of Radio or Television, the Authority hereby directs all Radio and Television Stations to cease the advertising of faith healing powers and the use of scientifically untested methods of treatment and healing by individuals or churches, including infomercials.
Please kindly note that this directive does not stop the broadcasting of social discussion programmes or debates on these issues.
Be guided accordingly,
Yours faithfully
O. MUGANYU. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER