BULAWAYO’S Skyz Metro FM has asked to partner the city council to broadcast some of the local authority’s events such as full council meetings held.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
The station, operated by FairTalk Communications that has said it will start broadcasting in September, is among eight that were granted licences to operate commercial radio stations across the country.
In a letter to town clerk, Middleton Nyoni, a producer at the radio station, Mehluli Majoni said Skyz Metro FM sought to work with the council on a programme named The People’s Business every Monday between 2pm and 3pm.
“We would like to propose to cover the full council chambers through live broadcasts,” Majoni said
“The purpose of live events would be to enable the Bulawayo electorate to appreciate its elected councillors debating topics of concern.
“In addition to this, we would like to request that we work closely with your department of public relations in accessing council minutes or any other relevant information that could be used in broadcasting our shows,” the letter contained in the council minutes of the general purposes committee report read.
The letter was circulated among different council departments who gave thumbs-up saying the proposal would provide a good platform for communication and interaction with residents.
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“In the ensuing discussion the committee was generally appreciative of the proposed broadcasting venture saying that it was likely to assist council’s public relations efforts and thus foster a positive image for the city,”the minutes added.
“In view of this, it was resolved to recommend that the proposal by Skyz Metro FM to partner with the council in the broadcasting of various activities and events be accepted in principle pending position engagement with relevant departments on required details.”
In 2011, the MDC-T-led council turned down a similar request from Radio Dialogue, a Bulawayo-based community radio station.
Councillors at the time argued they feared the material could fall into wrong hands and be used as a “tool to destroy other people and council”.
The radio station had proposed the proceedings be recorded on CDs and tapes and distributed in all 29 wards in the city as part of community service.
