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2012 Declaration on community radio broadcasting
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)
April 05, 2012
We, community
radio initiatives, civic society organisations and the community
of Bulawayo, gathered at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF)
in Bulawayo on the 21st of March 2012,
Recalling:
- The 1991
Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic
African Press,
- Article
19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights,
- the African
Commission on Human and People's Rights Declaration of Principles
on Freedom of Expression in Africa of 2002,
- the 2001
African Charter on Broadcasting,
- the 2001
SADC Information Communication Technologies ICT Declaration,
- the Broadcasting
Services Act of 2001 as amended in 2007,
- Article
19 of the Global
Political Agreement of 2008.
Aware of:
- lack of
broadcasting diversity and pluralism obtaining in Zimbabwe especially
complete absence of licensed community radio stations,
- how community
radio can be an effective tool for promotion of access to information,
participation of citizens, development of communities and democracy,
- the efforts
by the government to decentralise state radio so it can be viewed
as community radio, and clear lack of political will to liberalise
the airwaves.
Reaffirming
the:
- Importance
of an enabling broadcasting framework together with sincere political
will, and an independent regulatory authority to promote the development
and existence of bona fide independent community radio stations
in Zimbabwe,
- Need to
contribute and manage essential information and communication
technologies for community based socio-economic development thus;
Call upon the
government of Zimbabwe to:
- a) Make provisions
for the creation of policies, legislation and resources to support
community radio in Zimbabwe,
- b) License
community radio stations in Zimbabwe within 3 months, before the
5th of July,
- c) Facilitate
dialogue among government, international and regional intergovernmental
organisations, civil society and development agencies in Zimbabwe
to promote community radio development in alleviating poverty,
promoting democracy and achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGS).
Adopted By:
Radio
Dialogue, Zimbabwe
Association of Community Radio Stations, Bulawayo
Agenda, Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association, Bulawayo Residents Association,
Habbakuk Trust, National
Youth Development Trust, National
Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe, Media
Insitute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe, Musasa,
Catholic
Commission for Justice and Peace, Christian Legal Society, Mhlahlowesizwe,Bhetshulikazulu,
National Cultural Association, Intsha.com, Victory Siyanqoba, Rural
Communities Empowerment Trust, Women's Institute for Leadership
Development, Wild Trust, Zimbabwe
Coalition on Debt and Development.
Visit the ZACRAS
fact
sheet
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