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World Press Freedom Day statement
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)
May 03, 2012
As we commemorate this year's world press freedom day, ZACRAS
remains mindful of government efforts of seeking to frustrate the
struggle for media diversity and general freedom of expression in
Zimbabwe.
The past year
has seen little being done to truly diversify the broadcasting environment
through the licensing of alternative media players, with the only
additions being the controversial licensing of two commercial radio
stations, AB Communications' Zi Radio and Zimpaper's Talk
Radio.
Only recently,
reports of a Transmedia transmission upgrading project in Binga
seeking to pave way for the establishment of the "first"
community radio station in Zimbabwe, have surfaced.
This move of
seeking to hijack the community radio movement clearly indicates
that the government of Zimbabwe is not ready to embrace civil society
as equal partners in developing communities and ultimately changing
lives. Though broadcast media diversity in Zimbabwe is under siege,
ZACRAS remains resolute in championing for social change through
community radio stations.
As we commemorate
this year's World Press Freedom day under the theme "Media
Freedom helping to transform societies", ZACRAS continues
to call for the realisation of an enabling broadcasting framework
complemented by a sincere political will, to promote the development
and existence of bona fide independent community radio stations
in Zimbabwe.
It is ZACRAS'
proposition that the government should seek to complement the efforts
of freedom of expression lobby and advocacy groups who are advocating
for media diversity in Zimbabwe, as this will enable unfettered
access to information. ZACRAS believes that, the empowerment of
citizens can only be realised when all relevant stakeholders make
a consented effort to emancipate ordinary citizens.
ZACRAS continues
to call upon the government to make provisions for the creation
of policies, legislation and resources to support the development
of community radios in Zimbabwe .In this manner, the development
of community radio in Zimbabwe will assist in alleviating poverty,
promoting democracy and achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGS).
Visit the ZACRAS
fact
sheet
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