Capitalk Reporter/The Herald |  10 months ago | top

The ongoing establishment of community radio stations is part of government’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has said.

Sen Mutsvangwa told delegates at the Nyangani FM commissioning ceremony at Country Club ground yesterday that community radio stations were among the lessons learned from Cyclone Idai.

The minister said it was not by accident that some community radio stations were put in the areas they were, but by design, so that they would benefit people.

Sen. Mutsvangwa, who donated a generator and three computers to Nyangani FM in her capacity as a Senator in Manicaland, said the establishment of community radio stations was ample evidence that President Mnangagwa means it when he talks about opening up the media space.

Community radio stations are expected to address existing language gaps, and Nyangani FM will be broadcasting mainly in Chimanyika, Chibudya and Hwesa local communities’ dialects.

UNESCO executive regional director Dr. Lidia Brito said the remaining six radio stations, which are yet to go on air after being granted licenses, must be assisted to see the mission completed.

Dr. Brito also said that communicating early warning systems in times of natural disasters is the duty of community radio stations.

She added that community radio stations will play a crucial role in speaking out against gender-based violence.