The ManicaPost
THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana (NM), was recently in Manicaland for an interface with the media. The Manica Post Editor, Wendy Nyakurerwa-Matinde (WNM) managed to tie him down for an exclusive interview to discuss developments in the media. Among other issues, Mr Mangwana highlighted that community radio can play a significant role at the grass roots level for rural development through tackling issues of poverty, agriculture, gender inequality, education and social problems. Below are excerpts from the interview.
WNM: Are there any Covid-19 bail out packages for media houses — both public and independent? If so, how can these be accessed?
NM: Government set aside an $18 billion Covid-19 economic recovery, stimulus and social package aimed at reviving Zimbabwe’s economic sectors affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
This package cuts across all productive sectors so that they get the critical liquidity to kick-start their operations and protect jobs.
From the media sector, only ZBC has applied for the package and their case was approved. As a national broadcaster with a national mandate to inform the nation, they are at the centre of our Covid-19 information dissemination strategy.
WNM: Considering the ongoing media reforms in the Second Republic, have local media operations improved? Are journalists now able to cover stories that they couldn’t tackle years back?
NM: There has been a lot of improvement in the operational climate for the media. My door and that of the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services are open to any member of the media. Everyone is invited to the Post Cabinet Briefings.
You may also have noticed that in the Second Republic, no question is considered a taboo. We also get thousands of requests from foreign media practitioners who want to come and report from Zimbabwe. Before the Covid-19 lockdown, we were clearing them in their thousands. Even the media houses that had been previously banned from operating in Zimbabwe have now set up bureaux here.
These are not just changes, they are revolutionary transformations.
WNM: We have seen an influx of online newspapers of late. Are these licenced and operating legally?
NM: Online papers are transnational and borderless by nature. A good number write on Zimbabwe, using Zimbabwe registered journalists, but they are not based in Zimbabwe and it is tough to register or regulate them. Some are just run by online content creators who are not even journalists.
WNM: Does Government have any plans to licence more print newspapers?
NM: Anyone who wants to open and run a print newspaper can register with the Zimbabwe Media Commission anytime. We have no problem with hundreds of print newspapers being registered and employing our media graduates.
We, therefore, have no policy that limits the number of newspapers in Zimbabwe. Rather, the market will do the limiting. There is not much space for everyone in the print media sector, especially in this digital era. Viability will limit players, not Government.
WNM: What has been done so far in terms of licencing independent TV stations? When can we expect the new players on board?
NM: The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is in charge of that process and I understand they will be conducting public enquiries soon, which is quite an advanced part of the process. New players will certainly be licensed this side of Christmas.
WNM: How independent are the country’s community radio stations?
NM: Community stations are owned by communities so they are as independent as the communities themselves.
WNM: In the spirit of improving media plurality, are there any plans to licence more radio stations? If so, how many community radio stations are earmarked for Manicaland? How soon can we expect these stations to come on air?
NM: At the moment we have gazetted three licences for Manicaland. According to the law, they are supposed to be on air within 18 months of being licenced. However, how soon they start airing programmes depends on the applicants themselves.
WNM: What purposes do community radio stations serve? How are they different from commercial radio stations?
NM: The ownership of community broadcasting licences rests with the community.
A community radio station is therefore run by the community it serves and it deals with community issues.
A community radio provides a mechanism for enabling their communities to tell their own stories.
It broadcasts content that is relevant to a local, specific audience. Profits are not the reason for the existence of community radio stations, unlike commercial radio stations.
WNM: Are there any constitutional provisions on how community radio stations should cover political issues?
NM: The Constitution does not address this matter.
However, the Broadcasting Services Act Part IV of the Fifth Schedule says: “The licensee (the community radio station) shall not broadcast any political matter.” Community stations are therefore forbidden by law from broadcasting political content.
WNM: But given the fine line between political and community issues, how do the stations draw the line between the two?
NM: Community issues are developmental, while political issues are divisive.
The regulator of broadcasting stations — BAZ — has a responsibility to ensure that every broadcaster acts within the ambit of the law. Anyone who breaches the condition of their licences risk losing that licence.
