Music videos give Zbc headache

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has of late been plunged into a quandary owing to some of the music video’s that are being submitted to their approval and quality control committee. Some of the work which Zbc has to analyse falls under the category of obscenity and is thus deemed as not suitable for public consumption.

While other international networks such as Channel O may deem a certain music video suitable, Zbc is in a quandary of having to assess and ensure that broadcast material is not viewed as harmful to viewers.

A typical example of a video that would be difficult to approve to air on ZBC TV is 50 magate. While it may be appealing, the video is ultimately deemed as undermining the values of Zimbabwean culture.

Apart from being just a television station the national broadcaster has a mandate of ensuring social moral fabric is upheld despite the emergence of what media scholars would refer to as popular culture.

The music of some Zim dancehall artists merely depicts the way of life in the Ghetto and the exact language that is used placing Zbc Tv in a complex position of having to assess whether the popular culture is acceptable to the broader society.

Outside Zim dancehall Baba Harare is among artists that produces music which is subject to debate when it comes to its suitability to the public. The popular artist has in the past released songs which have sexual connotations, emerging as a cause for concern for parents who will want to protect their children from such content.