BULAWAYO, SEPT 8 (SOUTHERN EYE LIVE) — Bulawayo-based YFM Community Radio says it is hopeful that ongoing regulatory reviews by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) will finally pave the way for the licensing of community broadcasters representing communities of special interest.
YFM director Philani Ncube said the station had intensified its engagements with government officials and regulatory authorities after years of pushing for recognition as a special-interest community broadcaster.
According to Ncube, BAZ indicated that the regulatory review was expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“The reviews should be done by the end of the year. We most definitely hope that this process will be done in a way that accommodates us because we have been behind this issue since 2021,” he said.
YFM's latest position follows its longstanding criticism of Zimbabwe's community radio licensing framework.
Last year, the station accused BAZ of excluding communities of special interest when it invited applications for community radio licences in selected geographical areas.
YFM argued that the concept of a community should not be restricted to geographical boundaries, but should also accommodate communities sharing common interests, identities, cultures or needs.
The station had previously petitioned Parliament in 2021 over the issue and told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting that the licensing framework should accommodate special-interest communities.
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Ncube said the station's latest engagements had given it renewed hope that the regulatory framework could eventually accommodate special-interest broadcasters.
“We have been behind this issue since 2021,” he said.
The development comes amid wider calls for greater diversity and representation in Zimbabwe's broadcasting sector, with community radio expected to provide platforms for communities to participate in local development and public discourse.
