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MISA-Zimbabwe statement on Zimpapers Talk Radio's Star FM
MISA-Zimbabwe
June 27, 2012

MISA-Zimbabwe welcomes the end of ZBC's broadcasting monopoly as the newly licensed Zimpapers' Talk Radio's Star FM went on air on June 25 2012. This represents a landmark development in the country's broadcasting sector, which has been shackled by tight political controls since the establishment of broadcasting services under the colonial regime.

Before the launch of Star FM, Zimbabwe held the record for being one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to have radio broadcasting services, but intriguingly one of the last to democratise and develop the sector by licensing privately owned stations.

While such an historic development should elicit jubilation from information starved marginalised communities in Zimbabwe, citizens can only cautiously welcome this new entrant into the airwaves. This skepticism arises from the perceived favoritism in its licensing by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), whose legality remains unresolved.

The issue of its intrinsic umbilical ties to its proprietor given Zimpapers documented partisanship also engenders doubts on its independence. While it is too early to pass judgment, the ball is now in Star FM's court to confound its skeptics by eschewing the partisan slant of its owner, Zimpapers.

In saying this MISA-Zimbabwe is mindful of remarks by Media, Information and Publicity Permanent Secretary George Charamba urging the station to be guided by issues of 'national interest' and the liberation struggle in its operations. His remarks seem to have dented expectations that the station would provide information alternative to ZBC's content and nourish the information needs of those who solely rely on radio for news/information.

This is particularly the case because issues of national interest and sovereignty have in the past been narrowly defined through ZANU PF's political lens by the media the party controls. An evaluation and monitoring of news content produced by ZBC and newspapers under the Zimpapers stable is testament to this fact.

MISA-Zimbabwe therefore reiterates its calls for comprehensive media reforms that would facilitate the repeal of the country's broadcasting laws to facilitate the establishment of a representative independent broadcasting regulatory board that promotes the licensing of all aspiring private and independent broadcasters.

Only then can Zimbabwe assume pride of place among progressive nations that have genuinely liberalised broadcasting space.

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