The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) – Zimbabwe has criticised the short-listing of Zimpapers, among the four chosen applicants for radio licences, arguing the move elbowed new players out of the media industry.
Zimpapers, a government-controlled media house which already publishes a plethora of newspaper and magazines, are tipped to clinch one of the two licences up for grabs.
Misa-Zimbabwe chairman Njabulo Ncube said Zimpapers was “crowding out” potential broadcasters yet it already enjoyed a big market share in the print media.
“Having said that, there is a worry that Zimpapers already has omni-presence in the print and that it now wants to crowd out the broadcasting sector where we have people who have been waiting for licences for a long time, such as community broadcasters. As Misa, we would have wanted diversity,” he said.
He, however, said legally, there was no problem with Zimpapers going into broadcasting given that Broadcasting Services Act of 2007 allowed for cross-ownership.
By virtue of being controlled by the government, Zimpapers is linked to the sole broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH), also under the State’s ambit.
Fourteen companies applied for the two available radio licences and four were shortlisted.
They are; Vox Media Productions (VOP), Hot Media (Kiss FM), AB Communications and Zimpapers. Zimpapers is expected to appear for public hearing today, while AB Communications, whose directors include broadcaster Supa Mandiwanzira, will appear next Tuesday and VOP on Thursday. Hot Media (Kiss FM), with music icon Oliver Mtukudzi among its directors, appeared before the commission on Tuesday. Below are profiles of some of the companies that applied for licences; Hot Media (Shortlisted) Company registration number 2844/2011 Date of registration 29/06/11 Directors Tonderai Muswandbaye Ndoro Oliver Mtukudzi Victoria Sharon Mugabe Musi Bridget Barbra Khumalo Douglas Tawanda Munatsi Joseph Zimuto Phibion Gwatidzo Trevor Samusodza Principals: Gwatidzo Company Chartered Accountants Zimpapers (shortlisted) Directors Alexander Kanengoni Dr Munyaradzi Kereke Dr Charles Utete Chakanyuka Karase Retired Brigadier-General Epmarcus Walter Kanhanga Rungano Jekeso Mbire Joseph Steve Mandizha Delma Lupepe Nyasha Madzingira Vox Media Productions (VOP) (shortlisted) Directors John Masuku (Executive Director) David Masunda Arnold Tsunga Nhlanhla Ngwenya Sharon Samushonga Tafadzwa Mugabe AB Communications – Supa Mandiwanzira on board (shortlisted) Yes Frequency Modulation Company registration number 19663/04 Date of registration 3/3/2005 Directors Innocent Siboniso Tshuma Abigail Mvududu Shingirai Munyeza Bruce Beven Mujeji Farai Matsika Trust Dube Fari Rwodzi Pachawo Chipurira Principal Officer: Innocent Siboniso Tshuma Well Times Media Company registration number 23773/2007 Date of registration 21/07/07 Directors Vincent Tepi Tazvivinga Faresi Lazau Thonet Investments Company registration number 38981/2008 Date of registration 29/12/08 Directors Sencia Gorogodo Frank Katsande TEMPRAC Investments Company registration number 5261/2001 Barrymore Peter Manandi Parkvoo Simbarashe Mutendera Principals: Calton Consultants, Parkvoo Mutendera Seddon Investments Company registration number 8590/2005 Date of registration 20/05/05 Directors Andrew Godwin Okoye (Nigerian) Debu Okoye (Zimbabwean) Principal: Debu Okoye
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