Source: Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)
The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) expresses its dismay and disappointment with an anti-people intention of the government of Zimbabwe to suspend the licensing of new radio stations including community radios as was said by the minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services. Dr Christopher Mushowe said this while giving oral evidence before parliament on 21st July 2016. This position is not in the interest of the spirit of broadcasting diversity and pluralism and it defeats the whole agenda to promote media freedom. In announcing this intention he gave frivolous reasons which in our view highlights failure by government to play a facilitatory role in developing broadcasting media in Zimbabwe particularly community broadcasting.
While it is regrettable that the local commercial radio stations which were licenced three years ago have struggled to utilize the licences owing to a number of reasons. It cannot be a good reason for the government of Zimbabwe to then worsen the situation by suspending licensing. It is ZACRAS view that instead of suspending licensing, the government must play an enabler role of assisting the stations by creating a conducive environment where new stations can sustain and serve their communities.
It is also ZACRAS’s view that the plan to suspend the licensing of radio stations and community radios is in violation of the constitution of Zimbabwe sections 61 and 62 which provide for free access to information and freedom of expression. It is against the spirit and letter of the African Charter on broadcasting which provides for a three tier broadcasting system. Zimbabwe remains the only country in the region apart from Swaziland without the three types of radio. This is regrettable.
It is also regrettable that since the Broadcasting Services Act was put in place, the government has not called for applications for community radio licenses thereby sustaining the prevailing state of affairs where there is not a single community radio station that has been licensed to broadcast in Zimbabwe.
We therefore demand the following:
- The government abandons its plan to suspend the licensing of new stations including community radios.
- The government of Zimbabwe takes practical measures to create an environment where the new stations can operate without any man-made challenges.
- All media laws and policies that are not consistent with the provisions of the constitution be realigned as a matter of urgency.
- Broadcasting Authority Zimbabwe (BAZ) immediately call for applications for the new stations.
Source: Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)