The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
At least six local commercial radio stations granted broadcasting licences last year, but are yet to go on air, have been given until month end to start operations or risk de-registration. Out of the eight licenses issued by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) in March last year, only Mutare based Diamond FM, which is owned by Zimpapers, and YaFM of Zvishavane, have managed to go on air.
In terms of the BAZ regulations, radio stations are given up to 18 months from the date of issuance of a licence, to go on air or risk nullification of the operating permit after failing to give compelling reasons for not broadcasting.
BAZ chief executive officer, Mr Obert Muganyura told The Sunday Mail last Friday that the authority had “written to the prospective broadcasters reminding them of the pending deadline”.
“Before cancelling the licenses, there is a process which needs to be followed. They are supposed to give reasons why they have failed to go on air within that period which is stipulated in the Act.
“As the regulator, our role is to grow the industry and not kill it. But at the same time we need to follow the law because if they fail to provide a service by end of this month, it means they would have failed to meet one of the condition.”
Mr Muganyura said BAZ hopes that the prospective radio stations will put their houses in order and not force the authority to revoke the licences.
He said the radio stations had given assurance that they will beat the deadline.
Last year, BAZ issued licenses to AB Communications for a station that is expected to operate in Gweru and Zvishavane, Zimpapers’ Diamond FM in Mutare, while other broadcasters are expected to broadcast in Victoria Falls, Kariba and Bulawayo.
