MISA-Zimbabwe also supported communities that are working to set up community radio stations and is working with eight such communities, called Community Radio Initiatives (CRIs). MISA-Zimbabwe held 12 CRIs meetings which were part training as well as advocacy meetings. The result of these meetings was the process of formalization of the CRIs into independent trusts that can run on their own as CRIs. So far registered CRI trusts include Harare Community Radio and Masvingo Community Radio. Kwekwe is now finalizing this process. Other Community Radio Initiatives that MISA-Zimbabwe works with include Radio Dialogue, based in Bulawayo which is already registered as a trust. MISA-Zimbabwe supported this process with meetings with MP as well as publicity materials that included posters and T-shirts. The Open the Airwaves Campaign is one of MISA-Zimbabwe’s major programme areas that has received support from sources beyond the SPP Funding programme. The results of the support to CRIs’ are the participation of communities in the fight for the liberalization of the broadcasting industry. The meetings held, publicity materials produced as well the meetings with legislative bodies has resulted in parliamentary reports and debates that have focused on the need to reform the broadcasting law as well as license new players in the industry. This might take time but MISA believes that pressure has to be maintained to realize an independent broadcasting industry. A number of activities headed by the Senior Programmes Officer were carried out under this campaign: • • The Advocacy Officer, working with the Uhuru Youth Network Trust held a community theatre festival at Zimbabwe Hall in Highfield on 7 March. Over a hundred youths from Highfield, Glen View and Glen Norah attended the event. During the same month, a Community Media Football match was held at Chisamba Grounds in Mutare. MISA-Zimbabwe held five meetings with CRIs, civil society as well as human rights lawyers and media workers where a draft and democratic Broadcasting and Telecommunications Bill was discussed. The draft bill takes into account the convergence of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and the need to reform broadcasting laws. It is now ready and will be used as a lobbying tool by CRIs and other players to seek the reform of the current broadcasting law. Meetings to discuss the draft law were held in Mutare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Harare and Gweru in February 2007. MISA-Zimbabwe made submissions to the government on the need for a democratic and progressive ICTs policy. These submissions were later discussed by MISA-Zimbabwe, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe, and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications. The submissions by MISA-Zimbabwe were also sent to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe as well as the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe. 30 Annual Report 2006