HARARE - Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) has said two new local radio stations are showing goodwill in their payment of royalties to artistes even under tough economic times.
Zimura’s finance officer William Nanaire said Star FM and ZiFM were trying their best to meet their end of the bargain.
“The new stations have been paying, yes, but they are struggling and it’s too little that we cannot distribute to the artistes,” Nanaire said. “Star FM has been really trying, as well as ZiFM but it seems like times are hard for everyone.
“I must commend Star FM as they are clearing the bill, they are not yet up to date but they are getting there. We cannot distribute the money at once, we distribute per station and with ZBC, we finished distributing. ZiFM started paying in November and they were doing well until April, but they are really trying.”
He said the major problem was the economic situation.
“We have survived over the years without the two stations so I cannot really say they are hampering our operations,” he said. “Of course, it will be beneficial for the artistes, but it is something that they haven’t got a taste of.”
He attributed the problem to the stations’ clients who are failing to settle their bills as well.
“I think they are also experiencing challenges with their own clients, the advertisers.
There is no money so they take time to pay up, resulting in them failing to pay us on time. But all I can say is there is goodwill from both stations and they will finish paying as per agreement.”