The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has noted with concern the flourishment of traditional and religious advertisements on Zimbabwe’s broadcasters ordering a ban forthwith.

In a statement, BAZ chief executive officer Engineer Tendai Kapumha said these advertisements had been somewhat deceptive.

“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 traditional herbs and medicines that cannot be authenticated since they tend to mislead the public.

“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,” said the BAZ boss.

However, discussions are still in the clear.

“Please note that this directive does not stop the broadcasting of discussion programmes or debates which do not contain advertising content on these issues,” Eng. Kapumha said.