By Rungano Dzikira

At least 10 community radio stations and six national free to air television stations will soon be operating in Zimbabwe, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said,  during the launch of ‘Zim Media 21,’ yesterday in Harare, ‘Zim Media 21,’ seeks to facilitate and promote access to information on development, governance, gender, and citizen participation in marginalized communities.

Addressing delegates at the event, Minister Mutsvangwa said this programme was in sync with Government’s initiative to license 10 community radio stations and six free to air television stations and  that the licensing process of the radio and television stations was already in motion.

“The process of licensing 10 community radio stations and six national free to air television stations has already been set in motion with the call for licenses by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) having been issued. 

“BAZ will also license campus radio stations to improve campus communication as well as provide media students with practical broadcasting skills such that they are ready for the market at the time they complete their studies,” she said.

She also assured that Government was in full support of media plurality, since the hallmark of thriving democracies is the presence of an informed citizenry which participates in the national discourse through free expression.

She however bemoaned challenges bedevilling the media industry such as media polarization, political polarization, partisan journalism, publishing falsehoods, decline in training standards, gender discrimination and reports of rampant corruption in the sector, as well as  economic factors which has since led to mainstream media organizations struggling to sustain operations,

The Minister further applauded the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and its partner the International Media Support, Fojo Media Institute and Internews, and the Swedish Embassy in Zimbabwe for this initiative which will enhance citizens’ rights to access information, especially those in marginalized areas adding that it dovetailed with the vision of the Government of Zimbabwe.