THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board should come up with a turnaround strategy to resuscitate the institution.
Before digitisation, ZBC has to improve the quality of its programming.
ZBC television should rethink and redesign the manner in which it broadcasts programmes.
Some viewers have said it is a torture to watch ZBCTV. Other people refer to our beloved State broadcaster as “dead BC”, this is because of the poor quality of their programmes.
A Marshal Plan to turn around the institution is imperative.
ZBCTV in 2022 still screens programmes from the 1970s and 80s.
The State broadcaster should start producing content that is internationally competitive.
Zimbabwe has the potential to create content that can match renowned television stations around the globe like CNN, BBC, Sabc, among others.
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Zimbabweans actually follow South African dramas, soapies and movies more than their very own locally-produced content.
Local viewers have ditched the public broadcaster for Multichoice-owned DSTV and Openview.
The turnaround strategy should touch on staffing, quality programming, commissioning of new programmes, repeat shows, remuneration, management, obsolete equipment and other areas of concern.
It is imperative that the organisation changes its licence fee collection model and make it more effective and efficient.
The existing model has a lot of loopholes. The majority of television and radio owners evade the paying licence fees.
ZBC has to attract more advertisers. Strategies have to be devised on how the public broadcaster may lure new advertisers.
It is no secret that some former ZBC managers swindled the institution of bucketloads of cash. Measures have to be put in place to deal with managers who abused company resources.
Some of the money the institution was fleeced of could have been channelled towards procurement of modern equipment or new content.
Nobody from today’s ZBC can make the grade required at CNN and yet other African broadcasters like Sabc, eNCA and KTN continue to produce quality journalists that are hired by the CNNs and BBCs of this world.
It is a fact that Bustop TV produces better journalism and content than ZBC — that is a huge indictment on our journalists.
To further equip its personnel, ZBC should arrange exchange programmes with public broadcasters around the world.
This will certainly give the current crop at Pockets Hill and Montrose the much-needed exposure.
The parent ministry should give direction and guidance to ZBC.
The Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry should appoint a board which is competent and can turn around the fortunes of the State broadcaster. -Muzokomba Villager
Constitutionalism, rule of law is key
WE can have good advisers from Mars — with expertise — but failure to adhere to constitutionalism may scare away the few potential investors.
The “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra has been cast into doubt, further derailing the optimism for re-engagement with potential investors and the international community.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image was dented by the wanton arbitrary shooting of civilians by security forces since August 1, 2018.
We cannot have a situation where our country is being discussed at international forums, how then do we engage potential donors when we have grey spots?
The idea is to have a suitable legal framework for a sustainable investment and business environment.
Investors want to be assured that if they invest in a country, there will be rule of law, in particular access to justice and an independent Judiciary.
Similarly, citizens want to know that investments in their country are being properly regulated.
There is an issue that many people in Zimbabwe, especially those in business, often take for granted.
The rule of law is more important than anything else you read about, including leasing, trademarks and investment opportunities.
We have to correct our ways of doing business or else we are not going anywhere. TM
Leaders should put Zim first
ZIMBABWE is reeling under the brunt of political polarisation and electoral hangover.
Its ripple effects are hitting the person on the street and scuttling efforts to revive the economy.
It is paramount that in whatever we do, let us put our country first.
Every individual, parastatal and private company should be motivated by the desire to work for the betterment of Zimbabwe.
At the weekend, I was surprised to see riot police throwing tear smoke at unarmed civilians who were waiting to be addressed by Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa in Gokwe.
What picture does this action give about Zimbabwe?
Such action work against Zimbabwe.
I don’t like the United States for obvious reasons, but I envy the way its nationals put their country first.
They have the famous statement inculcated in every American that “America first, then myself follows.”
How often I wish our politicians were like that, instead of concentrating on political differences.
Political polarisation has scaringly divided Zimbabwe and this is driving away investors.
It is so disheartening that the country is ranked in the top four of the worst destinations to invest in by Transparency International.
We are our own worst enemies by holding onto political grudges that culminate in social disorder and economic sabotage.
This is all happening under the watchful eye of potential investors, who will be forced to take a back seat until we start pulling in the same direction.
Yes, investors are cowards, they do not want to invest in a country that is not stable.
To pretend that Zimbabweans are united when in actual fact they are not has been our folly, impeding developmental efforts.
The events over the past weeks where the law was selectively applied are against the pursuit of the Zimbabwe we want.
Henceforth, we pray the law will be applied fairly.
The law does not have eyes. –Mukunda waChitova
