News / National
Community Radios pillars of devolved states- Devolution campaigners
15 Feb 2016 at 05:58hrs | Views
Campaigners for Devolution have joined the international community in commemorating the World Radio Day amid calls for Zimbabwe to adopt the concept and allow community Radios to operate without stringent conditions applying.
In a statement the campaigners said as they celebrate this day they mourn the failure by the centralized government of Zimbabwe to award community radios broadcasting licenses.
"This affects development, information dissemination and human rights," reads the statement. "We at Campaigners for Devolution strongly believe that one of the key pillars of a devolved state should be the promotion of community radios that will serve their communities with news and also promote local languages and cultures."
The campaigners stated that already the people of Matabeleland are prepared and organized to run these stations what is hindering them is the fear by the central government.
"We are aware that there are initiatives by the local communities and civic society to have community radios in Bulawayo, Plumtree, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Lupane, Tsholotsho and Victoria Falls among other areas," reads the statement.
"When we devolve, we shall ensure and campaign for the establishment of community radios in any language/tribal group of Matabeleland (if they want) so as to promote local business, local economies, local information dissemination, local development, local employment and local culture and rights."
The devolution campaigners said Community radios also help local people to share vital information especially in times of need and emergency and to also access needed information easily.
"It needs to be noted that the current centralized system that is refusing community radios broadcasting rights has failed to provide people of ruqsral matabeleland access to information as less than 40% of rural Matabeleland currently has access to radio," reads the statement. "Devolution for community radios and devolution for development!"
In a statement the campaigners said as they celebrate this day they mourn the failure by the centralized government of Zimbabwe to award community radios broadcasting licenses.
"This affects development, information dissemination and human rights," reads the statement. "We at Campaigners for Devolution strongly believe that one of the key pillars of a devolved state should be the promotion of community radios that will serve their communities with news and also promote local languages and cultures."
The campaigners stated that already the people of Matabeleland are prepared and organized to run these stations what is hindering them is the fear by the central government.
"When we devolve, we shall ensure and campaign for the establishment of community radios in any language/tribal group of Matabeleland (if they want) so as to promote local business, local economies, local information dissemination, local development, local employment and local culture and rights."
The devolution campaigners said Community radios also help local people to share vital information especially in times of need and emergency and to also access needed information easily.
"It needs to be noted that the current centralized system that is refusing community radios broadcasting rights has failed to provide people of ruqsral matabeleland access to information as less than 40% of rural Matabeleland currently has access to radio," reads the statement. "Devolution for community radios and devolution for development!"
Source - Byo24News
