Story by Theophilus Chuma
Government has unveiled plans to expand media plurality after mandating the new Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) board to work on five new commercial broadcasting licences within the next five months.
The target is aligned to the holistic vision to broaden diversity and inclusivity ensuring no place and no one is left behind.
After meeting the new board, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere outlined the urgency of the target, one of the key outcomes contained in the performance contracts signed by the new board.
“We expect that in the next five months they should have licenced new players. Part of the task of the new board is to licence players that reflect our national character, our identity and at the same time ensure that we focus on nation building. Part of their responsibility is to licence new players that is commercial, radio and other community radio stations so that we ensure there is information ubiquity across the country,” said the minister.
The new board will also look at safeguarding information security.
“We expect the board to utilise the technological systems that are going to ensure that broadcasting sovereignty is achieved. The utilisation and tracking of broadcasters in terms of the content that is being generated should reflect the correct picture about Zimbabwe mainly ensuring that we sensitise and ensure that each and every Zimbabwean has a part to play to achieve Vision 2030,” he said.
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe board acknowledged the task at hand.
BAZ chairperson Mr Valentine Mutatu said, “We are cognisant of the task ahead and promise to work on fulfilling all our deliverables.”
Government is also looking at accelerating the information access drive, through the second phase of the digitalisation project, another key area of priority tasked for the new BAZ board.
