[cr-india] Zambian CR refuses to air news from State broadcaster

[Vinod Pavarala]

This story from Zambia reminds us of the 'offer' of AIR news made by the Indian government last year to CR stations, in response to the demand to lift the ongoing ban on broadcast of news on community radio. Luckily, it was an offer the stations could turn down politely!
Vinod
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Government directs community radio stations to join propaganda, MISA says NO!
https://www.zambianwatchdog.com/government-directs-community-radio-stations-to-join-propaganda-misa-says-no/

In a bid to increase propaganda for the PF, Government has directed community radio stations to start broadcasting by way of repeating the ZNBC network news.

Butthe Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chapter has opposed the move saying it does not make sense.

Information Permanent secretary Bert Mushala announced the move, and if implemented it would mean that all community radio stations will be replicating the useless propaganda spread by ZNBC.

Government has of lately been trying to gag community media through threats of license revocations and charging exorbitant license fees.

MISA Zambia Acting chairperson Hellen Mwale said that the provision of news with a national character to community media would be going against the purpose for which Community Radio Stations were established.

Mwale added that community media is meant to highlight issues pertaining in their localities. Most Community media houses fall under the umbrella body of MISA, which has been critical to government’s media infringements in the country.


Vinod Pavarala
Professor & UNESCO Chair on Community Media
Department of Communication
University of Hyderabad
Gachibowli, Hyderabad A.P. 500046
India
91-40-23135501
http://www.commuoh.in/
http://www.uccommedia.in/


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