While the decision to license more television stations is a welcome development, MISA Zimbabwe is
worried at the lack of diversity in the granting of the TV licences. The new TV licence holders, either already
hold print or broadcasting licences, or are linked to the government or the governing party.
If Zimbabwe is to have a truly diverse media, there is need for more players from different backgrounds to
be granted licences. With this scenario, the country risks having a homogeneity of news and views, which
is anathema to democracy.
There is therefore, need for genuine opening of the airwaves, where diversity and pluralism are the guiding
principles in the granting of licences.
Meanwhile, the licensing of the country’s first ever three community radio stations is a step in the right
direction towards opening up the broadcasting sector to new players.
This should go a long way in enhancing citizens’ right to access to information on socio-economic
developments and issues of concern in their respective communities in the spirit of accountable and
responsive governance.
The licensing of Mbembesi Development Trust, trading as, Ingqanga FM, Ntepe Manama Community
Radio Trust, and Nyangani Community Radio Trust, trading as, Nyangani FM, is in line with the African
Charter on Broadcasting’s three-tier broadcasting system.
The three-tier system comprises public, commercial and community broadcasting, that MISA Zimbabwe,
together with the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS), has incessantly been
advocating for in conformity with regional and international instruments that Zimbabwe is party to.
In pushing for the licensing of community radio stations under its protracted Free the Airwaves Campaign,
MISA Zimbabwe established preparatory Community Radio Initiatives throughout the country. The newly
licensed Ntepe Manama Community Radio Trust in Matabeleland South province, is one such initiative.
BAZ announced the granting of the three community radio licences as well as two campus radio licences to
the Midlands State University and University of Zimbabwe. In May 2020, Great Zimbabwe University in
Masvingo Province, became the first university in Zimbabwe to get a campus radio broadcasting licence.

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