Recently, BMA had reported that the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) had awarded six free-to-air national commercial television broadcasting licences. Since then, three of those awarded the broadcasting tv licenses have failed to pay their licence fees.
The six free-to-air licences were awarded to:
– Channel Dzimbahwe trading as Channel D
– Jester Media Services trading as 3K TV
– Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN)
– Rusununguko Media trading as NRTV
– Acacia Media trading as Kumba TV
– Fairtalk Communication trading as Ke Yona TV
However, according to Deputy Information Minister Kindness Paradza, three out of the six tv stations listed above, which Paradza declined to mention, have failed to pay their licence fees due in January 2021. The Deputy Minister has said that the three tv stations have been offered a grace period to June to settle their issues or lose their licenses.
The BAZ requires the tv stations to meet a basic licence fee which is given for ten years at US$15 000 per annum plus a 1% gross turnover for the license period. There is also a fee of US$30 per frequency every month and a Broadcasting Fund, which is a contribution of 0.5% of the audited annual gross turnover payable annually.
During National Aids Council (NAC) Editor’s Workshop in Chinhoyi, Paradza confirmed the news and said the ministry had given the struggling three an extension until June to continue giving Zimbabwean a choice when it comes to the media. Nevertheless, should the stations fail to pay, we will have to readvertise, affirmed the Deputy Minister.
