Although Zimbabwe has bought and taken delivery of community radio broadcasting equipment the TransMedia Corporation CEO Florence Sigudu-Matambo said installation of the transmitters, antennae and general hardware will only begin after the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), has completed the licensing process.
- Community radio broadcasting equipment
The typical delaying tactic driven by the Zanu PF side of the coalition government immediately attracted criticism from the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS). “This can be likened to the Zimbabwe National Roads Agency (Zinara) stating that it will not construct any roads until the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) has registered cars,” ZACRAS said.
They said the installation of community radio equipment should not be dependent upon BAZ’s licensing of community radios. “Transmedia and BAZ are two separate entities, with the former being mandated with making certain that requisite broadcasting infrastructure is available, and the latter ensuring that interested broadcasting players are licensed.”
In the past, the Permanent Secretary in the Information Ministry George Charamba has indicated that the broadcasting infrastructure in the country creates no room for new broadcasting entries. ZACRAS’ said the acquisition of broadcasting equipment will put to rest the excuse of poor infrastructure as the reason for the non-licensing of alternative broadcasting players.
Since 2003, ZACRAS has been representing the interests of community radio initiatives in Zimbabwe. Presently, the Association has a membership of eleven community radio stations which it says have proper structures and the support of the communities where they are based.
Two of the Association’s members, Radio Dialogue in Bulawayo and CORAH in Harare, are equipped with broadcasting equipment which will enable them to start broadcasting once they are granted licenses.
ZACRAS has meanwhile urged the government and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders to expedite the process of appointing a properly constituted BAZ. This will result in the calling for applications and subsequent licensing of community radio stations in a credible and transparent manner.
