Tremendous progress has been made in opening up airwaves, with 14 community radio stations having been licenced to serve communities in indigenous languages.
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) this year licenced eight more community radio stations, three of them based in Matabeleland provinces, bringing to seven the radio stations that will go on air in the western region.
BAZ provides the licenced community radio stations with studio equipment.
Among the latest eight stations to be licensed, the three from Matabeleland region are: Radio Bukalanga (Pvt) Ltd (Bulilima), Matobo Community Radio Trust (Maphisa, Mangwe, Brunapeg) and Twasumbuka Community Radio Trust (Binga, Kamativi, Siabuwa).
Other stations already licenced from the Matabeleland region include: Mbembesi Development Trust, trading as Ingqanga FM; Ntepe Manama Community Radio Trust; Shashe Community Radio Broadcasting Association: and Lyeja-Nyayi Development Trust.
Tertiary institutions were also awarded broadcasting licences and those that received the licenses include: National University of Science and Technology, Great Zimbabwe University, Lupane State University, Midlands State University and Harare Polytechnic.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa recently said the antenna system and transmitters were already in place for the NUST campus radio station.
“Eight community radio stations were licensed, bringing the total number of community radio stations licenced across the country so far to 14.
“In related language-based community broadcasting matters, equipment donated by Unicef for the operationalisation of the Chimanimani Community Radio Station was handed over on 27 September, 2021, and civil works for the station are underway.
“For the National University of Science and Technology campus radio station installation project, the antenna system and transmitters were put in place and studio renovations and civil works for the installation proper of the campus radio station are on-going.”
According to Unesco, community stations can shape a society’s experience of diversity and serve diverse communities offering a wide variety of programmes.
According to a 2017 journal article, community broadcasting is a broadcasting service not for profit, owned and controlled by a particular community under an association, trust or foundation.
In some instances, it can be owned by non-governmental organisations working in communities.
Community radio stations enable people to enjoy their right to access information concerning socio-economic development and other issues of concern within their communities.
The community radio stations broadcast in languages spoken within the communities they serve.
According to BAZ, the law gives the licenced entities 18 months to go on air from the date of licensing to give them time to ship equipment, put together the skilled people to run the station and put in place all logistical arrangements necessary to start operating.
Community radio stations serve an important role in delivering relevant information to communities in indigenous languages that directly impacts their livelihoods.
They are constantly adapting to technological challenges, such as going from AM to FM, and from analogue to digital.
Many are also accessing the information superhighway that is the internet, although often with limitations. Internet access is an issue that radio stations continue to discuss and demand.
When broadcasting to smaller language groups they frequently need to offer content to those speaking the language who have moved out of the main area of the station’s operations but who still wish to maintain ties with their community.
Despite economic limitations, lack of infrastructure, low and poor quality connectivity, and competition from dominant language media, the community radio stations that have been able to access the internet, are now expanding their coverage and engaging with a broader audience and enlarging their reach.
Many radio stations use and take advantage of mobile applications which enable the public to access their programming and interact with the radio.
This is especially advantageous for community members who have migrated to other cities or countries and want to remain informed about local issues and stay connected with their people.
Many radio programmes are now being uploaded to digital platforms, creating archived information which can be accessed without time limits.
The internet has increased the reach of radio stations, ultimately expanding beyond the borders surrounding the station where the transmitter signal arrives.
Cell phones have also become a powerful tool that has increased access for indigenous peoples to listen to community radio and its programming.
In 2020, Covid-19 forced many communities to remain in isolation and radio stations stepped up their role as leaders in communication and media during the pandemic. – The Herald
