Minister: ‘Artistes request your songs on phone-in programmes’
A Place Called Home, Abo Mzala, Gold Diggers, Jacob’s Cross, Ses’Top La and Zabalaza. - @DubeMatutu MUSICIANS who are not getting airplay on radio should take part in phone-in programmes available on various stations and request their songs to be played in a bid to popularise them.
This was said recently by the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Thokozile Mathuthu in the senate.
Responding to questions from Matabeleland South Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa who had asked if government had a specific policy to prevent DJs from playing their favourite music only, Deputy Minister Mathuthu said DJs were human beings who at times get carried away. This was in light of complaints that some artistes are not getting airplay from most local radio stations as some DJs prefer playing their favourite artistes’ music.
“The policy is there, but the DJs are human beings and at times, they’ll fall in love with a certain artiste, thereby keep playing their music.
“There’s a facility that I mentioned, the phoning-in programmes. We hope that those artistes who think that their music hasn’t been exposed much should also take part in the phone-in and request their own songs so that they also get attention,” said Deputy Minister Mathuthu.
She said there was a lot of competition on radio stations for up-and-coming musicians to make the cut.
“The problem is there’s so much competition in the music industry and at times, we find that we don’t have enough time to play music for certain people all the time.
“But through the phone-in programme, people can phone and select their own type of music that they want to hear. That’s the reason why some of the songs by certain musicians are not played or maybe that’s why they get very short airplay,” she said.
However, she said once the digitalisation programme is in full swing, there would be more television and radio stations thereby making it easier for more artistes to receive airplay.
“At the moment, ZBC has committees all over the provinces where they look at content production or content, for example, Montrose Studio in Bulawayo and other studios. That branch works very hard to see to it that a lot of programmes are placed on broadcast programmes when we go into digitalisation.
“We now wish to broadcast all over so that people can view whatever they want. If we can broadcast for 24 hours, those who pay licences and those who want their music or productions to be played, we will be having about 12 broadcasting stations.
“I’m sure those who were complaining that they’re not getting enough airplay will be having more time because we’ll be having more stations,” she said.
-@bonganinkunzi