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By Marlvin Ngiza
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) has called upon the government to create a conducive working environment for community radio stations through repealing some harsh laws.
In a statement issued while commemorating World Radio Day, ZACRAS National Acting Coordinator, Mlondolozi Ndlovu challenged the government to allow editorial independence for community radio stations, repeal the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) in order to allow community radios to raise funds through advertising and allow them to get foreign funding.
“We urge the government to repeal the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) by allowing community radio stations to accept advertisement as a way of ensuring that they are economically sustainable.
“Government must allow the editorial independence of community radio stations as this goes a long way in ensuring that the trust and connection between the ordinary people and the stations is fostered.
“Government must also allow licensed community radio stations to get foreign funding especially in the form of diaspora remittances given economic challenges that most marginalized communities are facing in Zimbabwe,” said Ndlovu.
Meanwhile, Ndlovu acknowledged the government’s efforts in licensing 14 community radio stations in the period 2020-2021 citing that community radio stations play a crucial role in the dissemination of important information, bringing leaders closer to the community and creating ideal public spheres for communities.
“We acknowledge efforts by the government of Zimbabwe in licensing 14 community radio stations including 6 ZACRAS members during the period of 2020-2021. This will go a long way in ensuring that radios play their part in connecting communities to the world and the world to the communities.
“Community radio stations play a crucial role in ensuring that community leaders and the citizens create a conducive and accessible environment for productive debates especially during this period of by-elections which validates this year’s theme.
“Community radio stations in Zimbabwe have also played a role in communicating COVID-19 information in the process of dispelling myths and rumours around the spread of the virus,” said Ndlovu
Ndlovu further expressed that they have intensified efforts to ensure that its members go on air as soon as they get licensed before the lapse of the 18 months period.
“We had developed a solid capacity building and technical plan that will ensure that our licensed members are able to go on air before the lapse of the 18 months mandated period that was set by Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe(BAZ),” added Ndlovu
World Radio Day is commemorated annually on the 12th and 13th of February. This year’s global theme is Radio and Trust with the local theme being Connecting Communities Through Radio.