July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - Web posted at 10:48:25 GMT

Zim bans another TV talk show

HARARE - Zimbabwe's state broadcaster has banned another talk show, the second in as many months, run by the National Development Assembly (NDA) civic organisation, the group's coordinator said.

The live phone-in show "Spotlight," carried on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation's Radio 1 network, was cancelled with immediate effect, NDA national coordinator Kindness Paradza said in a statement.

A letter from the ZBC's director of marketing and programs Musi Khumalo, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, said the show will no longer be broadcast because of "the restructuring process currently underway at ZBC."

"The NDA has already sued the ZBC and the government for cancelling its television talk show, "Talk to the Nation," on June 4.

Both programs focused on current affairs in Zimbabwe.

The NDA is widely viewed as a pro-government group which holds town-hall style meetings around Zimbabwe.

"Talk to the Nation" was cancelled after only three broadcasts, after callers challenged the policies of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

ZBC is Zimbabwe's only broadcaster, despite a Supreme Court decision that broke the government monopoly on the airwaves.

- Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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