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Granting of radio licences a farce
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
November 25, 2011

The decision by the illegally constituted Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe to grant two radio licences to Zimpapers and AB Communications is a farce that flies in the face of true media reforms and media plurality in Zimbabwe.

The Principals and the negotiators of the three political parties have agreed to proper media reforms, in particular the reconstitution of the BAZ board, the ZBC board and the Mass Media Trust.

For the record, at their meeting on Monday, 7 November 2011, the Principals restated their position that the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity should reconstitute the three boards.

The Prime Minister brought to the attention of the President that it was improper for Zimpapers to seek a radio licence and the two agreed that this flew in the face of the desire for media plurality and the need for multiple voices in the country.

In May 2011, following agreement by the Principals to reconstitute the three boards, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, wrote to the Minister of Media Information and Publicity, Hon Shamu, instructing him to act in accordance with the decision by the Principals.

What we have seen from the Ministry is non-compliance and non-implementation of the Principals' decision and thus we have an illegal body granting radio licenses to two undeserving media houses.

Yesterday's granting of the two licences is the final nail on the coffin of media plurality in Zimbabwe. It is unacceptable.

The essence of media plurality is to allow multiple, diverse voices not voices of people and institutions aligned to a political party. Zimbabweans do not want more of the same. They want multiple platforms that will enable diverse voices and opinions to be heard. The editorial stance of Zimpapers is similar to that of the ZBC and both institutions have made it their business to be the spokespersons of a political party. Mr Supa Mandiwanzira, who is fronting the other media house granted a licence yesterday, was recently introduced at a Zanu PF meeting as a potential party candidate in Nyanga.

The Prime Minister will be speaking to the President next week about this betrayal of the letter and spirit of the GPA and the agreement by the Principals themselves.

This is indeed a sad day for the media industry in this country and it showcases the brazen and deliberate undermining of the executive authority in Zimbabwe.

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