Zimbabwe Community Radio has been set up by a community radio support organisation outside of Zimbabwe. The material for the programmes is being provided by various community radio initiatives within Zimbabwe, who are members of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS).  

These initiatives are based in:

All these local Zimbabwean community radio initiatives are eager to start broadcasting inside Zimbabwe.

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe was set up in 2001, but in the eight years of its existence, has not issued a single broadcasting licence. We are expecting the new Zimbwean government of national unity to ensure that local broadcasting licences are issued, for both commercial and community radio stations.  And the sooner this happens the better. Once community stations are broadcasting on FM, locally in Zimbabwe, then Zimbabwe Community Radio will no longer need to broadcast on Short or Medium Wave from outside the country.at present Zimbabwe Community Radio is broadcasting from the United Arab Emirates. But we are happy to respond to the call in the political parties’ agreement to return and broadcast in Zimbabwe.  As soon as government proves we are welcome home by giving us licences, we shall jump on the first plane available.

The agreement between the political parties, which was signed in September 2008 states:

ARTICLE XIX FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION

Recognising the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multi-party democracy.Noting that while the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act permit the issuance of licences, no licences other than to the public broadcaster have been issued.Aware of the emergence of foreign based radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe, some of which are funded by foreign governments.Concerned that the failure to issue licences under the Broadcasting Services Act to alternative broadcasters might have given rise to external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe. Further concerned that foreign government funded external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe are not in Zimbabwe's national interest. Desirous of ensuring the opening up of the air waves and ensuring the operation of as many media houses as possible.

The Parties hereby agree:‑

• (a) that the government shall ensure the immediate processing by the appropriate authorities of all applications for re-registration and registration in terms of both the Broadcasting Services Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
• (b) all Zimbabwean nationals including those currently working for or running external radio stations be encouraged to make applications for broadcasting licences, in Zimbabwe, in terms of the law;
• (c) that in recognition of the open media environment anticipated by this Agreement, the Parties hereby:-
• (i) call upon the governments that are hosting and/or funding external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe to cease such hosting and funding; and
• (ii) encourage the Zimbabweans running or working for external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe to return to Zimbabwe.