Chair of the Radio Dialogue Trust Peter Zwide Khumalo said the inclusive government had failed to liberate the media, and failure to provide radio licences was testimony that the government could not fulfil the global political agreement. For five years now Radio Dialogue has been meeting with government on the issue of community radio licensing, Khumalo said.
The GPA brought great hope that, at last, licences would be issued. For 16 months now, the people of Bulawayo have been waiting for the inclusive government to fulfil its promises, but this has been in vain.
Khumalo also criticised the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity for its failure to constitute a legitimate broadcasting authority. He said the ministry was in a state of confusion.
The Minister unilaterally appointed members to BAZ, he said, These appointments were immediately rejected by the Deputy Minister and subsequently by the Prime Minister. In April 2009, Minister of Media, Information and Publicity Webster Shamu toured the Radio Dialogue studios, and held discussions with trustees and staff. Technologically, we are advanced and weve got the equipment, added Khumalo. In terms of skills base, weve got the staff and the structures are there and they are trained. We are ready for a licence to raise the mast and start broadcasting. www.zicora.com
Post published in: News