Opening of Zimbabwe airwaves a 'charade'

The licensing of State-aligned companies to run eight new commercial radio stations showed that the frree-up of the airwaves was a ‘charade', a media watchdog in Zimbabwe has said.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in Zimbabwe said that the licensing is tantamount to the expansion of the media that are directly under State control and associated with the ruling elite.

Most of the companies licensed are directly linked to senior Zanu-PF members or State controlled companies like Zimpapers and Kingstons.