Zimbabwe Bans Radio and TV Adverts for Prophets and Sangomas Again
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has once again banned radio and TV stations from airing advertisements for prophets and traditional healers. This ban is not new as BAZ issued a similar directive in 2018, but it was largely ignored by broadcasters.
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Zimbabwe Bans Radio and TV Adverts for Prophets and Sangomas Again
In a recent statement, BAZ’s Chief Executive Officer Engineer Tendai Kapumha reminded radio and TV stations to stop running adverts from churches and traditional healers. He emphasized that the ban also applies to traditional herbs and medicines that lack scientific backing and can mislead the public.
“This letter serves to remind you of the Authority’s directive to all broadcasters to stop the broadcasting of advertising content from churches and traditional healers and of traditional herbs and medicines which cannot be authenticated, since they tend to mislead the public,” part of the statement reads.
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Why BAZ Has Banned Adverts for Prophets and Sangomas
Kapumha said that the ban is in line with Section 23 (a) & (b) of the Broadcasting Services (Code of Conduct for Broadcasters) Regulations, 2023, as well as Section 27(4)(e) of the Broadcasting Services (Licensing and Content) Regulations, 2004. These regulations mandate BAZ to protect consumers from misleading content.
“Considering the Authority’s mandate to protect the interests of consumers, account being taken of the prohibition of such advertisements and infomercials in terms of Section 23 (a) & (b) of the Broadcasting Services (Code of Conduct for Broadcasters) Regulations, 2023, as read with section 27(4)(e) of the Broadcasting Services (Licensing and Content) Regulations, 2004, all broadcasters are directed to discontinue the broadcasting of such content,” Kapumha added.
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Talk Shows Such as Tilder Live Still Allowed
However, Kapumha clarified that the ban only applies to advertisements and does not extend to talk shows or discussions like Tilder Live about churches, traditional healers, or traditional medicine.
“Please note that this directive does not stop the broadcasting of discussion programmes or debates which do not contain advertising content on these issues,” the statement concludes.
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