STAKEHOLDERS in the media industry have said the new round of public inquiries for commercial radio licences that start in the next fortnight would only help entrench the State’s firm grip on airwaves after it emerged that the majority of the shortlisted candidates were either linked to parastatals or Zanu PF officials .
PAIDAMOYO MUZULU SENIOR REPORTER
The remarks were in response to a weekend notice published by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (Baz) where the regulatory authority released names of approved applicants for commercial radio licences.
The list includes AB Communications’ Gogogoi FM (Masvingo) and Faya FM (Gweru), Zimpapers’ Diamond FM in Mutare and Kingstons Holdings Nyaminyami FM (Kariba) and Ya FM (Zvishavane).
Both Zimpapers and Kingstons are controlled by the government, while Information deputy minister Supa Mandiwanzira has a controlling stake in AB Communications. Media Centre director Ernest Mudzengi said the list did not indicate any commitment to media diversity as advocated by independent media organisations.
“The companies will be the same from an ideological angle, thus we will have more in terms of plurality, but definitely there will be no diversity of voices or views. It will be more of the same,” Mudzengi said.
Media commentator Takura Zhangazha concurred with Mudzengi, saying: “It’s definite that there will be a quantitative change, but it is now clear the government is not looking for media diversity, but simply wants plurality.”
Zhangazha added: “What is likely to emerge are media monopolies or media mogul companies that will straddle across all platforms: print, radio and television.”
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Meanwhile, the revised dates for public hearings in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls are still to be released after last month’s postponement, while shortlisted candidates for Harare, Chinhoyi and Marondera applicants are still to be named.
Two years ago, the government licenced two national commercial radios, StarFM and ZiFM Stereo, which are owned by Zimpapers and AB Communications, respectively.
