Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has strongly condemned the compulsory collection of radio listeners’ licence fees, arguing that it forces citizens to fund a State broadcaster perceived as biased.

In its 2025 Human Rights Situation Report, the commission raised serious concerns about the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s (ZBC) lack of editorial impartiality.

Under section 38B of the Broadcasting Services Act, motorists are required to present a valid ZBC radio licence or exemption certificate when licensing or insuring their vehicles—effectively making payment mandatory to access essential services.

ZHRC described this as unconstitutional, particularly because ZBC fails to meet the impartiality standards outlined in section 61(4) of the Constitution. The commission said:
“Linking vehicle licensing and insurance to a ZBC radio listener’s licence raises concerns, apart from the licence’s significant cost, about freedom of choice in information sources. This undermines the right to freedoms of movement, expression and access to information and obliges people to financially support a State-run broadcaster whose editorial content is partisan in violation of section 61(4) constitutional guarantee of media freedom.”

The commission argued that this practice represents a regression of the rights the Zimbabwean Constitution seeks to protect. It further criticised the enforcement of the fees through vehicle licensing and insurance as an unfair financial burden on the public.

“Mandatory payment of radio licences removes citizens’ choice over which media to support, undermining freedom of expression and access to information,” ZHRC said.

“It also violates consumer protection principles, which require transparency and fair access to information. Many people consider the licensing fees expensive.”
ZHRC has urged authorities to urgently review the radio licensing framework to ensure it aligns with constitutional standards for public media and safeguards fundamental rights.