BROADCASTING SERVICES ACT [CHAPTER 12:06] (as at 11th January 2008) that will facilitate the development of a broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe that is efficient, competitive and responsive to audience needs and the national interest; (f) to encourage diversity in the control of broadcasting services; (g) to ensure that Zimbabweans have effective control of broadcasting services or systems; (h) to ensure the role of broadcasting services and systems in developing and reflecting a sense of Zimbabwean identity, character and cultural diversity; (i) to promote the provision of high quality and innovative programming by providers of broadcasting services; (j) to encourage providers of commercial and community broadcasting services and systems to be responsive to the need for a fair and accurate coverage of matters of public interest and for an appropriate coverage of matters of local significance; (k) to encourage providers of broadcasting services and systems to respect community standards and values in the provision of programme material; (l) to ensure the provision of means for addressing complaints about broadcasting services; (m) to ensure that providers of broadcasting services place a high priority on the protection of children from exposure to programme material which may be harmful to them; and (n) to ensure compliance with this Act and license conditions and, where empowered, to enforce the provisions of this Act; (o) to monitor and track the use of the broadcasting service bands; (p) generally, to advise the Minister on all matters relating to broadcasting systems and services; (q) subject to this Act, to carryout any function or act as may be prescribed by the Minister. (3)14 In the exercise of its functions the Authority shall have regard to the objectives set out in section 2A and, subject to those objectives, to the desirability of securing the following objects⎯ (a) the provision of sufficient broadcasting services throughout Zimbabwe; (b) the promotion of peace, stability and national cohesion through the provision of broadcasting services; (c) ensuring that any person by whom any broadcasting service falls to be provided is able to provide these services at rates consistent with the provision of an efficient and continuous service and the necessity of maintaining independent financial viability; (d) the development of broadcasting systems and services in accordance with practicable and recognised international standards and public demand; (e) the satisfaction of present and future reasonable demand for broadcasting services; (f) the promotion of the interests of consumers, purchasers and other users in respect of the quality and variety of broadcasting services provided; (g) the maintenance and promotion of effective competition between persons engaged in 14 Subsection amended by s. 4 of Act 19/2007 (insertion of words referring to section 2A). - 11 -