The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) has launched its inaugural Community Radio Awards to recognise and celebrate grassroots broadcasters who have played a key role in improving access to information in marginalised communities.
In an interview with CITE, ZACRAS national co-ordinator Sandra Mazunga said the awards were introduced after the organisation realised that existing media awards did not adequately accommodate community radio stations.
“As ZACRAS, we noted that the current media awards had gaps in terms of recognising community media. Some awards expect our community broadcasters to compete with mainstream media houses that have been in existence for years, yet community radio stations only began operating following the first licensing in 2019. So this is now fair play for community radios,” she said.
Mazunga said the main objective of the awards is to uplift and acknowledge the efforts of community radio stations and individual broadcasters across the country.
“To recognise, celebrate and amplify the efforts of community radio stations and initiatives, as well as broadcasters whose work has significantly contributed to enhancing access to information, fostering community engagement and promoting inclusive development in marginalised communities in Zimbabwe,” she said.
She said nominations were being handled through an open process to ensure fairness and transparency.
“This is an open call for all community broadcasters to submit their work, and a panel of experts will thoroughly assess the entries submitted in each category,” she said.
The awards, scheduled to take place in March, will feature 10 competitive categories and one lifetime achievement award, covering both individual broadcasters and community radio stations.
The categories include the Gender Equality Award, Human Rights Award, Environment Reporting Award, SDG Award, Community Radio of the Year, Community Broadcaster of the Year, Best Media Viability Award, Community Radio Initiative of the Year, Community Voice Champion of the Year, Impact Story of the Year and the Community Radio Lifetime Award.
Mazunga said a panel of six experts drawn from across the media sector would adjudicate the entries.
“We have a panel of six experts drawn from the media sector, with a diverse composition in terms of regions, gender and languages,” she said.
She added that the awards were expected to contribute to the growth and strengthening of community radio in Zimbabwe.
“The awards are set to strengthen the role of community radio in promoting access to information and participatory development by recognising outstanding broadcasting work. We hope to encourage innovation, professionalism and impact in the sector. The awards will also provide a platform to showcase best practices and encourage peer learning,” she said.
However, Mazunga acknowledged that community radio stations continued to face significant challenges.
“Sustainability, governance issues that affect operations, and the fact that most broadcasters are volunteers who are not paid,” she said.
She clarified that there would be no public voting component in the awards process.
“Unfortunately there is no voting. Our criteria is premised on adjudication of entries that have impacted communities, focusing on achievements,” she said.
Looking ahead, Mazunga expressed hope that the awards would grow into an annual event.
“These inaugural awards are an opportunity to grow this into an annual event because we have reached out to different stakeholders — government, development partners, the private sector and civil society organisations — to partner with us. We are planting this event as a seed, and it is our hope that we will cement relationships that will nourish that seed so we can continue beyond the first awards. The success of the event will also help make it an annual occasion,” she said.
She also sent a message of appreciation and encouragement to community radio stations ahead of the ceremony.
“ZACRAS, as the association representing community radio stations and initiatives across the country, appreciates the work community radios are doing. It is not unnoticed. We know they operate with limited resources, and we continue to encourage them. These awards are for them and represent the excellence of their work, which is crucial. Community radios ensure that people in marginalised communities have access to information,” she said.
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