Media practitioners across the divide have welcomed with great joy the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe invitation for Radio License Application a move that many private media houses have been waiting for.
“The latest invitation follows that of last year which had few takers. BAZ will be issuing specific guidelines for applications in the local media,” said BAZ chief executive officer in a statement.
The move comes after Deputy Information Minister has called for a counter attack on all pirate radio stations operating outside the country through freeing the media waves for local media houses.
“We really appreciate the move by BAZ, especially at this time of the season when we as a nation are suffering from a huge unemployment disease, this would be a relief to many unemployed media graduates all over Zimbabwe to showcase their skills and talents,” said Munyaradzi Munaro, a media analyst.
Last year an invitation was made and only two applications were successful Zimpapers and OB Communications and others claim unfair application selection and have aligned the selected applications as linked to Zanu PF party.
“We appeal for the dissolution of the licensing authority which is biased to favour licenses to those linked to President Mugabe Zanu PF,” cried a citizen.
Freeing the airwaves means there will be competition in the industry thus quality will became a trademark for the survival of the fittest.
Last year, two privately owned radio stations hardly hit Zimbabwean airwaves and were greatly received by the audiences, these include Zi FM and Star FM. Many stations like Studio 7 that are still operating outside the country have promised to resubmit their applications to this year’s invitations after being unsuccessful last year.
Comments
About Author
