Story by Fungai Jachi
Government says it is impressed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe’s operations this year following the successful launch of community radio and television stations at a time when government is prioritising information dissemination.
Government has commended efforts by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe in the execution of it’s duties with the broadcasting authority managing to expand the local media space.
Speaking during a BAZ board meeting held in Harare this Monday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said BAZ is on track to fulfill the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving noone and no place behind.
“The media is the backbone of the country and BAZ has managed to expand the media space successfully.We witnessed the commissioning of community radio stations and tv stations this year which shows that there is progress in that area. There is need for BAZ to get monitoring equipment so that there is monitoring of what goes on air on all the radio and tv stations because as a nation there is need to to have information that moulds consciousness of the citizens and information is important in that it shapes how people think. We shall continue pushing for funding of projects that will enhance the authority’s operations,” she said.
BAZ CEO, Mr Tendai Kapumha said they will continue working hard to fulfil their constitutional mandate
“This year was a good year for us as we managed to commission four tv stations and four radio stations. We are looking forward that in the next six to seven months we will be able to commission all of the licensed. We are also progressing well in digitalisation. I am sure next year we will do even better as we move forward to digitalisation. We are happy that more studios are now digital,” said Kapumha.
The BAZ board held it’s second and last statutory meeting with the line minister as is required by law.
Such meetings give board members the platform to learn in terms of policy direction.
