Campaign for Broadcasting Diversity: Free the Airwaves Campaign The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe on 17 October 2020 announced the awarding of the country’s first ever commercial television stations, effectively ending the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s 40-yearold monopoly as the only television station in Zimbabwe. These were awarded to, Acacia Media Limited; Channel Dzimbahwe; Fairtalk Communications; Jester Media; Rusununguko and ZTN. This comes in the wake of MISA Zimbabwe’s protracted and relentless Free the Airwaves Campaign, which also culminated in the licensing of the first ever national and provincial commercial radio stations, as the precursor to the new commercial television stations. 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, an 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 socioeconomic developments and issues of concern in their respective communities in the spirit of accountable and responsive governance. ‘‘ 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. 14