Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
THE licensing of community radio stations resonates well with the Second Republic’s policy and philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.
Dr Muswere said this during a tour of Lyeja FM in Hwange, Matabeleland North on Friday.
The station is one of 14 community radio stations which has been licensed by Government and has become a shining example of Government’s inclusive development after giving a voice to the local community.
“Let me emphasise the importance of community radio stations in terms of informing and preservation of our languages as a people and also in terms of entertainment and education that comes with the establishment of community radio stations. For us as a country, the national policy and philosophy is to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind,” said Dr Muswere.
He said there is a deliberate position in ensuring that the emphasis in terms of broadcasting is in the local languages which are the 16 recognised official languages as the nation journeys towards an upper middle income economy by 2030, adding that each and Zimbabwean has a duty to contribute to the political development, social strata and mainly to the economy that takes place within stations’ jurisdiction.
“Radio plays a bigger role and I want to emphasise that as Government we will continue to support community radio stations, Lyeja FM included. This support is in terms of technical capability and training programmes so as to enhance your programming and presentation of national and district issues that affect the day to day lives of our people,” said the Minister.
He said the nation did not win the Covid-19 war because it had the best doctors in the world in terms of numbers and qualification, but instead victory was achieved because it managed to achieve through dedicated staff who are committed to the national cause, the resilience of its people but also importantly the broadcasting ecosystem that managed to educate the people about the negativity and dangers related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
call them whatever stations, community radio or whatever , the fact remains: They sare State-Controlled , they dont hold open discussions on any topic , because , according to ZANU , talking Politics is Divisive, remember this is according to ZANU. Yet ZANU matters are discussed from sunrise to sunset on the stations and not classified as politics. Still the same Smith/Apartheid ways of controlling the pop;ulation , by barring other political and legal political parties from reaching out to the population. And the Constitution is completely agains’t the bias of such behaviour of favouring a ruling party whilst barring other opposing voices.Even the broadcasters are mostly people rewarded by ZANU , the other stations are owned by the likes of Super Mandiwanzira ,etc ,so what do you expect from such a station when it comes to open discussions on politics and economics. Subjecting the whole population to one side of every story is OPPRESSION