BILL WATCH

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES SERIES 1/2024

[21st January 2024]

Parliament’s  Invitation to the Public to Nominate Candidates for

Appointment to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board

Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders is mandated by section 4(2)(b) of the Broadcasting Services Act to submit a list of six persons to the President from which the President will appoint three persons, including at least one woman, to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board. 

The Committee, in a notice published on the Parliamentary website this week, has called on members of the public to assist the Committee in its task by nominating persons for consideration by the Committee. For the convenience of readers, as the notice states that Parliament’s official nomination form must be used, Veritas has attached that form, downloaded from Parliament’s website, to this bulletin.  

The deadline for the submission of nominations to the Committee is

4.30 pm on Wednesday 31st January.

Parliament’s Notice

The notice by Parliament is self-explanatory.  It reads as follows, omitting the crest of Parliament which heads it: 

“CALL FOR PUBLIC NOMINATIONS FOR PERSONS TO SERVE ON THE 
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE BOARD

The Parliament of Zimbabwe, through the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, is mandated in terms of section 4 (2) (b) of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06], to nominate candidates for consideration by His Excellency the President, for possible appointment as Members of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board.

Accordingly, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders is hereby calling on the Public to nominate persons to be considered for appointment to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board. A list of at least six candidates shall be submitted to His Excellency, the President, from which three persons shall be appointed to the Board.

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is a statutory body tasked with regulating and supervising the broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe. The board plays a critical role in ensuring fair, equitable, and efficient administration of broadcasting licenses, promoting media diversity, and safeguarding the public's interest in accessing accurate and unbiased information.

The functions of the Board and the person specifications are given below as provided in the call:

1. BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE BOARD

Functions of Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board has the following functions—

(a) to plan and advise on the allocation and distribution of the available frequency spectrum;

(b) to advise the Minister on the adoption and establishment of standards and codes relating to equipment attached to broadcasting systems;

(c) to receive, evaluate and consider applications for the issue of any broadcasting licence or signal carrier licence;

(d) to monitor tariffs charged by broadcasting licensees with a view to eliminating unfair business practices among such licensees and to protect the interests of consumers;

(e) to advise the Minister on ways of improving and promoting a regulatory environment that will facilitate the development of a broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe that is efficient, competitive and responsive to audience needs and the national interest;

(f) to encourage diversity in the control of broadcasting services;

(g) to ensure that Zimbabweans have effective control of broadcasting services or systems;

(h) to ensure the role of broadcasting services and systems in developing and reflecting a sense of Zimbabwean identity, character and cultural diversity;

(i) to promote the provision of high quality and innovative programming by providers of broadcasting services;

(j) to encourage providers of commercial and community broadcasting services and systems to be responsive; to the need for a fair and accurate coverage of matters of public interest and for an appropriate coverage of matters of local significance;

(k) to encourage providers of broadcasting services and systems to respect community standards and values in the provision of programme material;

(l) to ensure the provision of means for addressing complaints about broadcasting services;

(m)to ensure that providers of broadcasting services place a high priority on the protection of children from exposure to programme material which may be harmful to them; and

(n) to ensure compliance with this Act and license conditions and, where empowered, to enforce the provisions of this Act;

(o) to monitor and track the use of the broadcasting service bands;

(p) generally, to advise the Minister on all matters relating to broadcasting systems and services; and

(q) to carry out any function or act as may be prescribed by the Minister.

2. PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Members of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board must be chosen for their integrity, experience and competence in broadcasting issues.

3. NOMINATION PROCEDURE

Nomination material must consist of a typewritten submission of no more than one A4 page stating why the person so nominated is a suitable candidate together with a completed nomination form which can be obtained at Parliament offices or downloaded from our website: www.parlzim.gov.zw.

Nominations must be addressed to the Clerk of Parliament in sealed envelopes clearly marked with the name of the Commission and must either be posted, hand delivered or emailed to:- 

hrvacancies@parlzim.gov.zw,  copying clerk@parlzim.gov.zw, 

The Clerk of Parliament

Parliament of Zimbabwe

New Parliament Building

Mount Hampden 
or

P.O. Box CY 298, Causeway, Harare

Closing date for submission of nominations is 16:30 hrs on Wednesday 31 January 2024.”

Notes by Veritas for Information of Nominators / Potential Candidates

Other members of Board  The three Board members referred to in this bulletin will not be the only members of the Board.  Section 4(2)(a) of the Act provides that there must be nine other Board members appointed by the President under a different procedure, i.e., after consultation with the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.  The nine comprise: two experts in broadcasting technology and content, respectively; one chief nominated by the Council of Chiefs; one accountant; one legal practitioner; one representative of churches/religious bodies; and three others.

Term/Tenure of office of Board members  The term of office is five years; protection from arbitrary dismissal is afforded by an Independent Disciplinary Committee [section 4A of the Act].

Policy directions by Minister  Section 4B of the Act contains a standard provision in Acts establishing statutory bodies; it authorises the Minister to give the Board general directions of policy which the Board must follow; the Minister must, however, notify the Board before giving such directions, giving it time to submit comments.