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BAZ chairman Dr Tafataona Mahoso and chief executive officer Mr Obert Muganura said this when they appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technology last week.

“It is very sad that a regulatory body like BAZ, which is expected to have some basic tools for monitoring has not been provided any since its inception. We also need frequency planning software and up to now the authority has not been provided resources to buy software. We do not have the equipment to monitor the specifics as required by the law. The challenge we have faced is availability of resources to sustain the process.” Mr Muganura said.

Broadcasting licences are divided into various classes that include community radio stations and commercial radio stations among others.
Mr Muganura said BAZ received 14 applicants for two commercial radio licences advertised recently. He said short-listing for applicants that meet the requirements had started and would be followed by public hearings.
Once the successful candidates have been identified they would be required to start operations within 18 months.

Dr Mahoso said the broadcasting industry had been unduly politicised without looking at the resource constraints facing the regulatory authority.
Dr Mahoso said the sector needed investment in infrastructure, equipment and training of personnel in line with changing technological changes.
Meanwhile, officials from the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe also appeared before the committee and called for self-regulation within the media fraternity.

VMCZ chairman and Harare lawyer Alec Muchadehama said self-regulation was considered the best practice the world over and promoted freedom of expression.
“Self regulation guarantees accountability, promotes democratic culture and consensus contrary to statutory regulation that criminalises the practice of journalism,” he said.
Mr Muchadehama said journalists should regulate themselves just like other professions like law, medicines and engineers.

Uzumba legislator Cde Simba Mudarikwa said it was difficult for the media to self regulate given that there were some dubious journalists that have gone on a crusade to denigrate the person of the President and the country’s institutions.
“You need to look at yourselves as journalists and not politicians-cum-journalists. That has discredited journalism in the country,” he said.