Reports yesterday that the House of Assembly was almost reduced into a boxing arena as Honourable Members threw brickbats at each other over the issue of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) brings back to the fore the sensitive issue of media freedom in Zimbabwe.

The arguments forwarded by Mbizo legislator, Settlement Chikwinya, mover of the motion to dissolve the licence issuing authority appear not only valid, but unassailable. They are also very straightforward.

According to provisions of Section 4 of the Broadcasting Services Act, BAZ members are chosen by the President after consultation with the Parliamentary Standing Rules and Order Committee (SRC) which comprises members from all the country’s political parties.

What happened in this case is that Media, Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu appointed the authority, apparently unilaterally.

Click here to read the full article, posted on Newsday's website.