MISA-ZIMBABWE Community Radio Project

For all you journos’ who could be interested in setting up a community radio stations:

Report by MISA-Zimbabwe
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Zimbabwe Chapter) has been engaging communities on the concept of community radio and how it is a critical component of community development as well as participatory democracy.

The communities that have been engaged so far are urban based and are in the cities of Mutare, Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo. They have already shown a keen interest in trying to set up community radio stations but unfortunately they do not possess the resources let alone the skills for such an endeavour. They are however conscious of the governments attempts to bring about community radios through the “back door” without community participation or community ownership. MISA-Zimbabwe has also been familiarising these communities with the contents of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) that allows for the formation of community radio stations but in a government controlled format.
There is still a lot of work to be done with these communities around community radio. This work includes the dire need for training on community radio, the need for community meetings, and production of awareness raising campaign materials as well as the engagement of the local Members of Parliament as well as local authority.It is imperative that a public campaign in each community be launched with the intention of making people aware of the project.
Definition of Community Radio Community r
Is radio that is available to a specific community. It is normally broadcast using the Frequency Modulation (FM) band at a limited radius. It is non-profit radio that focuses mainly on developmental issues that affect the community. It is radio that is run by a community and serves the interest of the community.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY?
A geographically based group of different individuals. e.g. Residents of Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo.· A social interest group. e.g. students, churches, women’s groups, labour.
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE THERE COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS?·
Radio Muthiyana: A community radio run by women in Maputo in a high-density suburb. Began broadcasting on 24 January 2001. It was initiated by the Media Women’s Association of Mozambique. Funding was acquired form local and international donors.·
Radio Kayira-Bamako, Mali: this is a community radio station set up in Bamako, Mali for the residents of the capital city.· Channel Med Radio, South Africa: community radio for medical students in Medunsa.
HOW DO YOU SET UP A COMMUNITY RADIO STATION?
1. Develop a mission statement. · What is your target community?· What are the needs of this target community? i.e. health, education, local government issues?
2. Develop policy.· What programmes does the station intend to cover? Music, drama, talk shows?· What type of advertising will it allow?
3. Develop organisational structure.· Constitution. Annual general meeting, membership, board of trustees, governing council, secretariat.· Ensure the continued participation of individual members of the community through setting up of a volunteers forum to assist in the
programming.
4. Consultation with the community.· Community leaders have to consult the members of the intended community on what the community radio should cover.
5. Look for equipment.· Equipment does not have to be the first thing that must be acquired. The community has to identify knowledgeable individuals to carry assist in acquiring equipment. In some cases the equipment need not be sophisticated.
6. Seek Funders and partners· Sell your charter and constitution to the local and international donor community.
ZIMBABWE AND COMMUNITY RADIO.
Zimbabwe permits community radio stations under the Broadcasting Services Act. The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is yet to issue an announcement for community radio license applications.
LIKELY ACTIONS ON COMMUNITY RADIO IN ZIMBABWE.
PROVING YOU ARE A COMMUNITY.
There shall be an onus on those that seek to acquire community radio licenses to prove they are indeed a community. This will involve some of the general issues highlighted above. But there may be more additions that will come when the Broadcasting Authority issues its regulations.
CONSULTATIONS.
Linked to the above point will be the need to ensure that there is adequate consultation and participation of the specific community in the setting up of a community radio charter and constitution. This will probably need to be done regardless of whether the announcement for broadcasting licenses has been issued or not.
MEETING THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE.
There shall be some outreach programme at some point from the BAZ. It is here that aspiring community broadcasters will be told any regulations and procedures for them to broadcast.
MISA-ZIMBABWE’S ROLE.
Facilitate public consultations. Facilitate training programmes. Offer media support. Assist in legal matters. Assist in lobbying Parliament, government and local authorities.