The miracle healing advertising ban - ZimFact
Ngoni Mhuruyengwe
May 4, 2018
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.
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 25, where seven programmes were broadcast on this day. The trend is reflected in the table below.
26/02/2018
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 25 of February 2018.
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.
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 1 century and arrived in Zimbabwe around the 14century 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.