adminTafadzwa Ndlovu Herald Reporter
Government has said the setting up of community radio stations will be done by the end of the year despite the process being slow.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Cde Supa Mandiwanzira made the remarks in Harare yesterday at a ceremony to mark World Radio Day.
“Government has taken the initiative to revive efforts to introduce more players in the radio industry and by the end of the year we should have community radio stations around the country,” he said.
“We have realised the lack of interest in the setting up of regional stations in some parts of the country, so now it is urgent that community radio stations be set up maybe starting with the areas that no one has shown interest to set up commercial radio stations.
“Of course, we have been criticised and we welcome criticism within the ministry that we have been slow in the licensing, or at least in initiating the process to license community radio stations. This criticism has largely been coming from people who have a vested interest in setting up of community radio stations.
“We accept this criticism and I would like to respond by saying we are doing something about it. We are in the process of setting up the processes of licensing of community radio stations.”
World Radio Day celebrations were held under the theme “Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Radio”.
Deputy Minister Mandiwanzira said women should take leading roles in decision-making processes in the radio sector.
“Those that are in the radio industry already must play a pivotal role in producing content that upholds values and beliefs of women,” he said.
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