The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE handover of broadcasting equipment for a community radio station in Chimanimani reaffirms Government’s efforts to open up media space and enhance freedom of expression, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said this today in her keynote address during the handover of broadcasting equipment donated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), to one of the 14 licensed community radio stations, which will be based in Chimanimani.
“In the past 12 months the Government of Zimbabwe has made tremendous progress in realigning the legal and regulatory framework with the provisions of our national constitution on the right of citizens to information and expression through the repeal of AIPA and the enactment in its place of Freedom of Information Act (July 2020) and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act (October 2020) which together provide ambiance for the realisation of freedom of communication rights enshrined in our Bill of citizens’ rights.
“The importance of building a knowledgeable and well informed citizenry needs not be emphasised. Our focus as the nation of Zimbabwe this year has been in laying the requisite infrastructural spinal cord as well as a policy and regulatory framework to enable unimpeded access and enjoyment of citizens’ right to know. The event here is yet another milestone which reaffirms Government’s commitment to enhance freedom of expression,” said
She said the establishment of community radio stations will also go a long way in addressing communication challenges during emergencies.
“A natural disaster ravaged Chimanimani and left scars, both physical and emotional, that continue to haunt people to this day. It calls for an efficient national communication system to best manage the negative and most deleterious effects of such natural disasters. The availability of a community radio station in this part of the country will go a long way in enhancing early warning systems against destructive natural phenomenon such as we experienced with Cyclone Idai,” she said.
Apart from the handing over of community radio equipment to the people of Chimanimani, the triumvirate of events in Chimanimani included International Day of Universal Access to Information (UDAI) as well as the launch of Information For all Programme (IFAP).
Another radio station will be set up in Chipinge.
Speaking during the same function, Chimanimani district administrator Mr Joseph Manyurapasi said the broadcasting equipment gives an opportunity for the district to showcase its endowments.
Mr Manyurapasi said the equipment will go a long way in empowering the community.
“This equipment will add to our information infrastructure in the district. As we know we are in the information era, and to have information is to be empowered. This equipment will go a long way in empowering the people of Chimanimani as the community radio will facilitate people to have access to information that relates to their needs in the district.
“In addition, it is an opportunity for the district to showcase its endowments through utilisation of this communication media platform and thus appealing to the local and international markets in relation to the investment opprtunities in the district.
“As a district that previously experienced natural disasters, the installation of this radio station for the community will instil positive thinking, positive attitude and optimism among our communities by broadcasting information that will reorient people away from the traumas caused by natural calamities. This is essential for people to recover psychological and for socio-economic development,” said Mr Manyurapasi.
Several players in the information communication technology and media industry graced the occasion.
