The miracle healing advertising ban

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has banned the advertising of “miracle” healing programmes on radio and television over  “numerous complaints from the public”, and concern that broadcasters were prioritizing this over their mandate to entertain, inform and educate.

By Patience Zirima

(Press Statement by BAZ chief executive officer Obert Muganyura, March 5 2018)

Is it true these programmes had found space during prime time?

Yes.

An analysis of four national radio stations shows that “miracle” healing programmes had found time during prime-time broadcasting, in the period before the ban, particularly during evening prime time between 18:00 – 22:00 hours. The second highest number of programmes were broadcast between 05:00 – 06:00 in the morning. Zimpapers’ Star FM Radio Station had by far the highest number of miracle programmes broadcast followed by ZBC’s Radio Zimbabwe.

In many cases, while Star FM broadcast the highest number of programmes, the radio station would in the majority of cases put in a disclaimer showing that the programmes are adverts or paid for programmes.  The disclaimer stated that “The following broadcast does not necessarily reflect the views of Star FM and the Zimpapers’ group. Listeners are advised to exercise discretion”. However, it was noted that some programmes would be aired as part of a DJ’s show without this disclaimer.  No other station issued such a disclaimer or an indication that the programmes are paid for by the parties in question.

How many faith healing programmes were the broadcasting stations running a week before the ban?

There was no consistent number of shows broadcast by the stations at given times, and these varied by the day.

StarFM (Zimbabwe Newspapers Group)

In the one week between 25 February – 03 March, Star FM broadcast a total of 27 miracle programmes with the highest number per day broadcast on Sunday the 25th, where seven programmes were broadcast on this day. The trend is reflected in the table below.

Number Date Time Programme Programme content
1 Sunday 25/02/2018 3 -6am Madzibaba Steven Preaching, testimonies, adverts
2 Madzibaba Roy ‘Ngirozi Yehondo Preaching, testimonies, adverts
3 Madzibaba Marimo Faith healing – interview
4 Pastor Muchefa Faith healing testimonies, advertorial
5 12:45 – 13:00 Transworld radio – The Story Within “The Word”
6 18:00 “Truth in 30 on Star FM” – Pastor Munya Teaching, advertorial
7 20.10 Madzibaba Marimo Faith healing, testimony, advertorial
8 Monday

26/02/2018

05.30 “Drying tears” – Universal Church of the Kingdom of God Faith healing, testimonies, advertorial
9 22:05 “Faith on trial” Traditional and Christian religion focusing on demon manifestation
10 23:00 City Life Ministries Testimonies, advertorial
11 Tuesday 27/02/2018 05:18 Apostle IK – True Worshippers International Church Faith healing, advertorial
12 18:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonies, faith healing
13 19:30 Madzibaba Marimo Testimonies, faith healing
14 21:00 Pastor Muchefa – Refen Ministries
15 22:00 Madzibaba Steven Testimonies, faith healing
16 22:15 Madzibaba Masango Testimonies, faith healing
17 Wednesday 28/02/2018 05:00 Pastor T Freddy – Goodness and Mercy Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
18 19:50 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
19 21:00 Mutumwa Masango Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
20 Thursday 01/03/2018 05:50 Pastor Muchefa
21 18:34 City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
22 19:30 Mutumwa masango Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
23 Friday 02/03/2018 05:06 Madzibaba Masango Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
24 05:36 Universal Church of the Kingdom of God – Pastor Mike Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
25 19:10 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
26 Saturday 03/03/2018 18:07 Pastor Tecla God’s Powerhouse Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
27 20:33 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial

 

Radio Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation)

Radio Zimbabwe broadcast a total of 22 programmes in the period 25 February – 3 March 2018. The largest number broadcast per day were five that aired on Sunday the 25th of February 2018.

Number Date Time Programme Programme content
1 Sunday 25/02/2018 04:52 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
2 07:52 Prophet T Freddy – Goodness and Mercy Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
3 09:30 Apostle Aaron Chavami – Heart of healing ministries Preaching, testimonies, faith healing
4 14:10 7th Day Adventist – The Second Coming of Christ Teaching
5 20:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
6 Monday 26/02/2018 04:50 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
7 20:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
8 21:30 Prophet T Freddy – Goodness and Mercy Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
9 Tuesday 27/02/2018 05:00 Apostle Tendai Chehubvai Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
10 05:07 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
11 20:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
12 Wednesday 28/02/2018 04:50 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
13 20:20 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
14 Thursday 01/03/2018 04:50 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
15 08:09 Prophet T Freddy – Goodness and Mercy Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
16 20:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
17 Friday 02/03/2018 04:50 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
18 20:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
19 Saturday 03/03/2018 04:50 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
20 17:00 Prophet Miracle – Abrahams Tent Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial
21 19:00 Mufundisi Gatsi – Nzira imwe chete Preaching
22 20:30 General Overseer Charles Tavengwa – City Life Ministries Testimonials, faith healing, advertorial

 

ZiFM (ABC Communications)

ZiFM did not broadcast any programmes that could be classified as “miracle” healing programmes, although their morning broadcast included preaching sessions by Pastor Esau Banda of Pentecostal International Christian Centre and Emmanuel Makandiwa.  It is not clear if these sessions were paid for, or are part of ZiFM’s regular programming.

Number Date Time Programme Programme content
1 Sunday 25/02/2018 05:00 Hope of Glory Ministries Preaching
2 PICC Preaching
3 Monday 26/02/2018 05.30 Emmanuel Makandiwa Preaching
4 Tuesday 27/02/2018 05:30 Emmanuel Makandiwa Preaching
5 Wednesday 28/02/2018 05:00 PICC Preaching
6 05:30 Emmanuel Makandiwa Preaching

 

SpotFM Radio (Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, (ZBC)

 

Number Date Time Programme Programme content
1 Sunday 25/02/18 N/A
2 Monday 26/02/18 N/A
3 Tuesday 27/02/18 05:50 Morning Devotion – Prophet Bondera
4 Wednesday 28/02/18 Morning Devotion – Church of Christ
5

 

Under what law did BAZ impose the ban?

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe banned the programmes under a section of the BAZ Act, 27 (4) (c ) dealing with misleading advertisements.

What did BAZ actually say?

BAZ CEO Obert Muganyura said in a press statement: “Please be advised that the authority has observed with concern the use of broadcasting stations as platforms for advertising faith and traditional healing powers and the use of scientifically untested methods of treatment and healing by certain individuals and churches, including unverifiable testimonies….

“To this extent, considering the authority’s mandate to promote the interests of the consumers in respect of the quality of broadcasting services provided by licences, account being taken of the prohibition in terms of paragraphs 27 (4) (c) of the Broadcasting Services (Licensing and Content) Regulations, 2004, of advertisement which misleads members of the public who are likely to believe in whatever comes out of radio and television, the authority hereby directs all radio and television stations to cease the advertising of faith healing powers and the use of unscientifically untested methods of treatment and healing by individuals or churches, including informaticals.

“Please kindly note that this directive does not stop the broadcasting of social discussion programmes or debates on these issues.”

What is the state of religion in Zimbabwe?

The Constitution of Zimbabwe Section 60:1a&b stipulates that every one has the right to freedom of conscience, which includes freedom of thought, opinion, religion or belief; and
freedom to practise and propagate and give expression to their thought, opinion, religion or belief, whether in public or in private and whether alone or together with others.

Zimbabweans are split largely between Christians and those who believe in African traditional religion who claim to approach God through their ancestors. There are small pockets of Moslems, Judaists and Hindus in Zimbabwe as well. An estimated 76 percent of Zimbabweans belong to Protestant Christianity, and 87 percent of Zimbabwean population follow one of the denominations of Christianity.

According to the Zimbabwe Demographics Profile, 2018, religious distribution is as follows:

Protestant 74.8% (includes Apostolic 37.5%, Pentecostal 21.8%, other 15.5%)

Roman Catholic 7.3%,

Other Christians 5.3%

Traditional 1.5%

Muslim 0.5%

Other 0.1%

None 10.5% (2015 est.)

Christianity took root in Africa in the 1st century and arrived in Zimbabwe around the 14thcentury by missionaries such as Robert Moffat of the London Missionary Society.

 

Author: Patience Zirima is director of Media Monitors, Zimbabwe

Additional research: Brother Alfonce Kugwa, journalist and director at Zimbabwe Catholic Social Communications Commission.

 

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