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Chronicle Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has implored players in the media industry to use their platforms for national development.

The President’s call comes at a time when the Government under the Second Republic has made tremendous progress in opening up the airwaves with 14 community radio stations having been licensed so far.

The licensed radio stations include universities campus radio stations and Government has also given  TV licences to new players.

Work on establishing the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) campus radio station is already underway.

The setting up of community radio stations is part of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) communication strategy.

Radio Bukalanga (Pvt) Ltd (Bulilima), Matobo Community Radio Trust (Maphisa, Mangwe Brunapeg); Twasumbuka Community Radio Trust (Binga, Kamativi Siabuwa), Mbembesi Development Trust trading as Ingqanga FM, Ntepe Manama Community Radio Trust, Shashe Community Radio Broadcasting Association which covers Beitbridge and Shashe and Lyeja-Nyayi Development Trust that covers Hwange and Victoria Falls have been licensed in Matabeleland region.

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has so far awarded campus broadcasting licences to
Nust, Lupane State University (LSU), Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Midlands State University (MSU) and Harare Polytechnic.

Six new free-to-air private television stations have been licensed.

Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), a subsidiary of diversified media group Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Ltd, was one of the channels awarded a free-to-air television licence. The other five are Rusununguko Media (Pvt) Ltd — trading as NRTV, Jester Media trading as 3K TV, Acacia Media Group — trading as Kumba TV, Fairtalk Communications — trading as Ke Yona TV — and Channel Dzimbahwe — trading as Channel D.

Addressing thousands of people who attended the 42nd Independence Anniversary celebrations at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Monday, President Mnangagwa said:

“The licensing of community and university campus radio stations has undoubtedly enhanced access to information by all our communities. I call upon all operators in our media and broadcasting sector to always use their platforms for national development and the ultimate good of our communities.”

The President’s call comes at a time when some hostile Western sponsored media are peddling falsehoods to divide the nation.

Two months ago, the United States Embassy hosted an online talk-show where participants took turns to paint a negative picture of the country’s media environment.

The talk-show was attended by “media experts” from the US and anti-Government journalists.

Among the discussants at the talk show that was held on Twitter were regime change acolytes, who have a history of casting the Zimbabwean Government in bad light.

The latest tool the meddlesome US is resorting to appears to be so-called non-profit journalism, which in essence is a sponsored form of journalism that aims to achieve set targets.

Officially launching the inaugural Varsity Film Expo at Nust in Bulawayo last year, President Mnangagwa urged stakeholders in the film industry  to utilise their creative voices and imaging skills to tell the Zimbabwean story in a positive way.

He noted that some players in the film and broadcasting space were using their talents and skills to denigrate their own country, its leadership and the African value systems, often at the behest and for payment by foreign detractors.