The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) has commended the government for expanding community broadcasting, saying the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is in the process of licensing 18 additional community radio stations and two religious stations.
The development comes as Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), with ZACRAS saying the expansion would improve access to information and increase diversity on the national airwaves.
In a statement marking the day, ZACRAS said Zimbabwe now had 24 licensed community radio stations and eight campus radio stations.
“On this occasion, ZACRAS commends the Government of Zimbabwe for its steadfast implementation of the national policy mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind.’ The government has kept its promise to broaden access to information,” the association said.
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ZACRAS said the licensing of additional stations would further expand broadcasting platforms available to communities.
The association said the priority should now be to ensure that existing and newly licensed stations were sustainable and able to provide public-interest broadcasting.
“Looking forward, ZACRAS’s focus is on ensuring that both existing and newly licensed community stations become resilient, sustainable, and operationally viable platforms for public-interest broadcasting,” it said.
ZACRAS said localised programming in mother-tongue languages would remain important in reaching underserved communities, particularly during disasters and in addressing information gaps.
It also pledged to work with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, BAZ, the Zimbabwe Media Commission and Transmedia Corporation on policy, licensing, signal distribution and media development.
“Going forward, ZACRAS will deepen its collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), and Transmedia Corporation, working together on policy alignment, licensing support, signal distribution, and media development initiatives that extend quality broadcasting infrastructure to every corner of the country,” it said.
The association said it would continue supporting community broadcasters through technical expertise and national coordination while working with government, regulators, development partners and communities to improve access to information.
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