SW Radio shuts down

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ONE of the short wave radio stations that have given Zimbabweans an alternative voice for over a decade, SW Radio Africa will stop broadcasts on Sunday.

ONE of the short wave radio stations that have given Zimbabweans an alternative voice for over a decade, SW Radio Africa will stop broadcasts on Sunday. STAFF REPORTER

SW Radio founder and editor Gerry Jackson made the announcement yesterday, but did not elaborate on the reasons behind the decision.

“It is with regret that SW Radio announces that it is closing down,” she said in a statement.

“We recently stopped our shortwave transmissions. We have continued to provide broadcasts via our website and other formats, but these too will cease.

“We’d like to thank the organisations and individuals who have supported us for the past 13 years and the contributors to our programmes who have given so willingly of their time and expertise.

“In particular we’d like to thank our listeners who have shared their lives, hopes and dreams and helped us to tell the story of Zimbabwe’s sad decline to the world.”

She added: “We hope that one day Zimbabwe finally has a government which understands that its sole responsibility is to ensure a safe, healthy, prosperous life for every man, woman and child in the country.”

SW Radio, based in Britain, had its first broadcast on December 19 2001. Its closure leaves Voice of America’s Studio 7 as the only so-called pirate radio station.