Staff Reporter
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is targeting to issue additional language-based Community Radio Station licences in a bid to improve access to information and the participation of local communities in information dissemination and the allotment plan has already been gazetted.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa during the 19th Post Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare yesterday, while speaking on the 7th 100 Day Cycle of the Second Republic.
Minister Mutsvangwa advised that the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) was in the process of modernizing its old studios by revamping one of the Radio Zimbabwe Studios (Studio E) at Mbare Studios in Harare.
Regarding the national awareness audio-visual productions, the Minister said the target was to produce 13 “Zimbabwe in Motion” television programmes profiling the developmental work of Government Ministries.
“The project is aimed at raising awareness about the work, challenges and successes of Government among television viewers. The creative concept was approved, with four programmes having been completed to date and are ready for airing on Zimbabwe Television (ZTV) anytime this month,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa revealed that six priority projects were earmarked for implementation during the current cycle. These include Chimanimani Digital Terrestrial Television launch, Gokwe Digital Terrestrial Television launch, Nyangani Community Radio Station installation, Language-based Community Radio Stations licensing, Radio Zimbabwe studio installation and national awareness audio-visual productions.
“Cabinet was informed that site preparatory works for the Chimanimani Digital Terrestrial launch were completed and the launch thereof will be held at a later date. A pilot Digital Terrestrial Television service in Gokwe will be commissioned and launched,” she said.
BAZ is working with a target to install, commission and launch the Nyangani Community Radio station in Nyanga and site survey has already been completed. Ninety-five percent of the equipment purchased for the project was shipped and is now in Harare.
