Zimbabwean Government bans radio and TV adverts for Prophets and native doctors

Friday, September 13, 2024 - The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has once again prohibited radio and television stations from airing advertisements for prophets, traditional healers, and unverified traditional medicines.

This move comes as part of a renewed effort to enforce a similar ban issued in 2018, which was widely ignored by broadcasters.

In a recent statement, BAZ Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Tendai Kapumha, reminded media outlets of the ongoing prohibition, urging them to halt advertisements that could mislead the public. The ban specifically targets advertising content from churches, traditional healers, and traditional medicines that lack scientific validation.

“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,” Kapumha's statement read.

The directive is grounded in Zimbabwe’s broadcasting regulations. Kapumha cited Section 23 (a) & (b) of the Broadcasting Services (Code of Conduct for Broadcasters) Regulations, 2023, and Section 27(4)(e) of the Broadcasting Services (Licensing and Content) Regulations, 2004, which mandate BAZ to protect consumers from false or 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.

Kapumha clarified that the ban only applies to advertisements. Programmes like talk shows or debates discussing churches, traditional healers, or traditional medicine, such as the popular Tilder Live, are not affected by the ban as long as they do not contain advertising content.

“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 concluded.