Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
Social media is currently buzzing with outrage and confusion regarding the annual license fees recently published by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
The fees, which are mandatory for anyone wishing to receive television or radio broadcasts in Zimbabwe, have sparked a wave of criticism and calls for reform.
According to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06) and the Broadcasting (Listeners’ Licenses) regulations, ZBC is responsible for issuing and collecting payments for radio and television licenses. The national broadcaster has attempted to make the payment process more convenient, stating,
“Paying for your television and radio licence is now more practical, accessible and stress-free than ever.”
They have introduced several payment methods, including:
- Online payments via their website: ZBC Licensing • https://licensing.zbc.co.zw
- Ecocash USSD *151#, selecting option 2 for payments
- In-person payments at various locations, including Zimpost, Econet shops, insurance outlets, and ZBC offices.
The newly released annual fees for ZBC licenses are as follows:
- Television license for business premises – US$200
- Company car radio license – US$200
- Vehicle radio and TV license – US$200
- Business premises radio license – US$100
- Home radio and TV license – US$100
- Private car radio license – US$92
- Urban home radio license – US$40
- Rural home radio license – US$20
In a significant move, the government is also amending the Broadcasting Services Act to prohibit the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) from selling licenses and to prevent insurance companies from issuing policies to motorists without valid ZBC radio licenses.
The public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with many taking to social media to express their frustrations.
One user, Sam, humorously suggested,
“Please slash one zero on all the prices🤕,” highlighting the perceived exorbitance of the fees. Another user, Choto, questioned the enforcement of home licenses, asking, “How do they enforce home licenses? Surely, no one pays those.”
Veelo added to the conversation with a sarcastic remark, “Why not price in zig?”
While Edmore raised a practical concern: “Guys ndokumbirawo kubvunza, ko ndikabvisa radio yacho mumotor ndobhadhara here?” (Translation: “Can I ask, if I remove the radio from my car, do I still have to pay?”).
Mufudza pointed out the disparity between the fees and the earnings of essential workers, stating,
“So home radio + TV and car radio is almost 200 USD. How much do nurses and teachers earn in a year?”
This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the affordability of these fees in light of the economic challenges faced by many Zimbabweans.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how ZBC will respond to the public outcry and whether any adjustments will be made to the proposed license fees.
Zim GBC News©2024