Amnesty International Zimbabwe and ZACRAS, with technical and financial support from The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), have launched a new project titled Strengthening Community Radio for Sustainable Access to Information, Freedom of Expression, and Citizen Participation.
The project, which will run for two years, will enhance the management capacity of community radio stations to sustain their operations. The project also seeks to improve the community radio regulatory framework to facilitate licensing, fundraising and enable community radio stations to operate independently.
The objective of the project is to strengthen licensed and non-licensed community radios for sustainable and effective provision of access to information, freedom of expression, and citizen participation in Zimbabwe,”
Lucia Masuka, Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe
“The objective of the project is to strengthen licensed and non-licensed community radios for sustainable and effective provision of access to information, freedom of expression, and citizen participation in Zimbabwe,” said Lucia Masuka, Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe.
Background to the project
Zimbabwe recently licensed 14 community radios which were given eighteen months by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe to start broadcasting failing which their licenses will be revoked. The newly licensed community radios’ governance and technical capacity are limited and there is a lack of community involvement, an issue identified through a capacity needs assessment carried out by ZACRAS in 2019 and 2022.
The project will enhance the management capacity of community radio stations to sustain their operations and enhance the capacity of community radios to produce quality radio programs continuously. Under the project, four Community Radio Initiatives (CRIs) and six Community Radio Stations (CRS) were selected from the ten provinces of Zimbabwe. The project also involves community members who will support the community radios and participate in content production and support. The project will contribute to SDG 16, particularly target 16:10 by improving access to information for marginalised communities and amplifying communities’ and individuals’ voices.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact Amnesty International Zimbabwe’s press office on:
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