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Statement
on the registration of newspapers
Zimbabwe
Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)
May 28, 2010
The Zimbabwe Association
of Community Radio Stations commends the registration of The Daily
News, The Mail, Newsweek, The Daily Gazette and The Worker by the
Zimbabwe Media Commission.
The introduction of independent
media players is a worthy cause and a step towards the realisation
of a diverse and pluralist media environment in Zimbabwe. Nevertheless,
the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) notes
that registering and licensing of new media players is not an end
on its own. There is need for the creation of an enabling environment
that promotes the flourishing of the media.
Over the years,
pieces of legislation such as the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), the Public
Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act (CLCRA) have been wantonly
used to curtail media operations by stifling dissent. This has been
achieved through the banning and closure of independent newspapers,
the harassment and arrests of media practitioners. Therefore, there
is need for the complete overhaul of retrogressive and repressive
legislation which is hampering media operations.
The latest addition
of these licensed newspapers stands as testimony to the strides
being realised in print media. However, the same cannot be said
for the broadcasting environment. In its entirety, the Broadcasting
Services Act (BSA) of 2001 purportedly seeks to liberalise the
airwaves through the establishment of a 3 tier broadcasting system
namely public, commercial and community stations as envisaged in
the African Charter on Broadcasting.
Contrary to
these provisions, not a single community station has been registered
or invited to submit an application for a broadcasting license.
This is despite the existence of community stations such as Radio
Dialogue in Bulawayo and Community
Radio Harare (CORAH), which are equipped with studios and technical
experts capable of broadcasting to their local communities. As such
the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the so called public
broadcaster, maintains a monopoly of the airwaves.
ZACRAS reiterates its
call for the immediate licensing of more broadcasting players, amongst
these being community stations. Presently, Zimbabwe lags behind
other Southern African countries such as South Africa, Zambia and
Malawi who have witnessed the flourishing of community stations
as a result of the huge strides made in the broadcasting industry.
ZACRAS calls upon the
responsible authorities to expedite the appointment of a properly
constituted broadcasting regulatory authority board, the Broadcasting
Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ). A properly constituted BAZ will ensure
that there is multiplicity in the broadcasting sector, by way of
licensing other broadcasters be it television or radio.
The lack of
political will on the part of the government and broadcasting authorities
to freeing the airwaves is an impediment to diversifying the broadcasting
environment. Article 19.1(a) of the Global
Political Agreement (GPA) highlights the need for "the
immediate processing by the appropriate authorities of all applications
for registration and reregistration in terms of both the Broadcasting
Services Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection
of Privacy Act". Thus the onus is on the authorities to ensure
that there is multiplicity and diversity in the broadcasting arena.
A vibrant and free media
is an integral part towards the democratisation of institutions.
This entails liberalising the air waves, freeing the media and ensuring
that plural voices are heard through both electronic and print media.
ZACRAS,
Suite 502,5th Floor Pioneer Hse, Cnr 8th Ave/Fife St, Bulawayo,
Zimbabwe.Tel:+263 9 77986/77988, Fax: +263 9 77987, Cell: +263 712
636 682/91 2 982 134.
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