Government has gazetted a Frequency Allotment Plan and
Regulations that enable the establishment of 19 on-campus radio stations to be
operated by institutions of higher learning, Information, Publicity and
Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
She said the Second Republic is committed to opening up the
airwaves, promoting freedom of expression and dissemination of diverse views.
Addressing journalists and residents gathered to
commemorate the World Radio Day at the Gweru Civic Centre yesterday, Minister
Mutsvangwa said institutions of higher learning should embrace Government’s
commitment to opening up the airwaves by applying for the radio licences. The
commemorations were hosted by the Midlands State University (MSU).
“We believe in the power of radio. It is a policy objective
of my Ministry to have campus radio stations in Zimbabwe. To this end we have
gazetted a Frequency Allotment Plan and Regulations that enable the
establishment of about 19 campus stations in this country. Our institutions of
higher learning are advised to make use of what we have made available for
them. We are a Government that walks the talk,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said her Ministry has grasped and
embraced the importance of radio as it is a right for the people of Zimbabwe.
“Those who follow what we are doing can testify that we
have made commitments to bring more broadcasters and a diversity of players to
this landscape. It is a commitment we ask you to judge us by when we meet again
on this day next year. Our law envisages a three-tier broadcasting system. This
incorporates Public Broadcasting, Commercial Broadcasting and Community
Broadcasting. Currently we have both public and commercial but we are yet to
license community broadcasters. Let me make this point clear, we are going to
license community stations, we are about to license community radio stations,”
she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said licensing of community radio
stations was a priority agenda for her Ministry in line with the devolution
agenda pushed by the Second Republic. “His Excellency President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s Government adopted devolution as one of its flagship policies in
the Second Republic. This is why you noted Cde Larry Mavima here who is the
Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. We believe that everyone should
have access to information. We realised that for everyone to participate in
development more so, at a devolved level, their voices should be heard,” she
said.
Evidence gathered by the Information and Media Panel of
Inquiry (IMPI), Minister Mutsvangwa said, indicated that radio is the most
popular platform of information in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural communities.
“To develop at grassroots level, people should take pride
in their communities and inculcate a sense of community that propels them to
take ownership of their own development. It is here that community radio will
play a critical role. For this reason, there is no turning back on rolling out
community stations,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government has closed the gap that
existed in law which hindered the establishment of community radio stations.
“Last week we closed the legal gap that existed in law
which hindered the establishment of the community radio stations. We gazetted
regulations which set the framework for the licensing authority to call out for
applications and I am advised they are preparing their callout right now.
Broadcasting in Zimbabwe is founded on the Broadcasting Services Act. We are in
the process of amending this law. This will align this primary legislation to
the Constitution as well as modernize it to embrace new technology,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said as newspapers become more
expensive, radio continues to dominate as the main source of information for
the people.
“This is why, today as the day set aside to celebrate and
raise awareness on what radio has done, what it is doing and what it will do to
our communities, we say let’s all come together in one accord and commemorate
this great platform,” she said.
Touching on the theme of the commemorations, “Radio,
Diversity and Development”, Minister Mutsvangwa said there is need for radio
stations to uphold diversity.
She said radio stations should have diversity of
communities they serve especially at national level.
In our diversity, Minister Mutsvangwa said, the spirit of
Ubuntu/ Hunhu must be the core.
“This should range from gender, to race, culture and
language. Let our studios be friendly to those with disabilities. Let them have
easy access and let their voice be also heard on our radios. Let vulnerable
groups find their voice and expression on our stations,” she said.
To date the country has six national and 10 regional
commercial radio stations. Chronicle
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