Election watchdog livid after Star FM cancel live interview

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) has castigated Star FM for cancelling a scheduled live broadcast on the programme Communities in Action at the last minute on Tuesday.

Star FM, a radio station under the government-controlled Zimpapers stable, cancelled the interview five minutes before going live, arguing that two of the discussants, Hamutendi Kombayi, the suspended Gweru mayor, and Tsungai Mhangami, the chairperson of a commission now running the city’s affairs, were not present.

The ERC was angered by the fact that Star FM proceeded to cancel the interview despite the fact that the two had been informed in advance but spurned the talk show.

The centre had taken the responsibility of informing Kombayi and Mhangami about the interview upon request from the Star FM presenter, Napoleon Nyanhi.

Mhangami, said ERC, declined to participate in the programme saying ERC had at one time attacked him on the station.

The watchdog, however, did not say why Kombayi could not avail himself for the radio talk show that would also involve citizens.

“The ERC castigates this attempt by the State-controlled radio station to protect public officials that are failing to respond to local governance issues affecting citizens.

“Public officials must accept that their role is a public one and public scrutiny is a legitimate consequence that comes with it.

“If citizens devise mechanisms to force inaccessible public officials to account, it is their constitutional right and relevant authorities must comply,” said ERC.

It added: “For Star FM to side with such throws spanners in their attempt to portray themselves as independent. The ERC reiterates that freedom of expression, association and assembly are constitutional rights and Star FM was obliged to accord citizens their rights.” Nehanda Radio