US offers support to struggling Zim community radios

UNITED States embassy officials have pledged technical and content production support as well as partnerships with US broadcasters for the country’s struggling community radio stations.

At a symposium to mark World Radio Day on Tuesday, community radio stations from across the country met regulatory authorities, parliamentarians and other stakeholders to reflect on community radio's two decades journey to find space on the limited terrestrial broadcasting scene.

This year's World Radio Day theme is: Radio: A Century Informing, Educating and Entertaining.

The symposium theme was: Increasing the Scope of Community Radio Stations to promote active participation of marginalised groups in democracy and governance in Zimbabwe.

“Our support to the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (Zacras) is to help provide capacity to community radio stations to address skills gaps to handle operational and content production challenges to enable them to inform, engage, and connect communities in support of freedom and democracy,” said Larry Socha, public affairs officer at the United States embassy.

“We encourage local and international partnerships and I encourage you to explore partnerships with institutions such as Voice of America to share content on entertainment, education and information.”

Since 2020, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (Baz) has licensed 14 community radio stations and over half a dozen campus radio stations.

“We are looking to enhance the role of community radio stations in promoting participation of marginalised groups in democracy and in governance,” said Sandra Mazuinga, Zacras national co-ordinator.

Several representatives of community radio stations chronicled challenges related to stakeholder management, licence conditions, funding and managing community and volunteer expectations.

John Chirinda of Kasambabezi FM in Kariba noted the cumbersome application process for a licence put in place by Baz.

Mvelo Zondo of Ntepe Manama Community Radio Station said the frequency fees of US$414 per year and annual licence fee of US$1 000 were too steep for community radio stations.

Claris Madhuku of Vemuganga radio station said the communities had high expectations but the radio stations were incapacitated.

Baz Engineer Mathias Chakanyuka noted how the regulator had overlooked certain aspects of the licensing process such as fees to enable the community radio stations to continue operating.

He pleaded with Parliament to request more resources from Treasury to support community radio stations.

Zimbabwe Media Commission chairperson Ruby Magosongwe said the commission had slashed accreditation fees.

Sharing the experiences of community radio stations in the United States, Rebecca Archer-Knepper, the United States embassy public diplomacy officer, explained the role of regulators as well as their restrictions.

She added that community radios in the US received immense support from State and local governments and non-profit organisations.