NOVEMBER

2013

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. General Introduction

This paper looks into the nature and effectiveness of Radio Voice of the People (VOP) programming. It is a research and monitoring and evaluation based introspection into VOP programmes, audiences, potential audiences and institutional issues relating to these issues. To be tackled here are issues including whether or not VOP is meeting its programming objectives, the nature and relevance of VOP programming, the impact VOP has had on the community and how best VOP can improve on the execution of its mission statement.

1.2. About Radio VOP

Established in 2000, Radio VOP is a private radio station that operates and is registered in Zimbabwe as a Communications Trust. The station has been operating under a hostile environment as testified by the bombing of its offices, arrests of staff members and a prolonged court case in 2006. Having been denied a broadcasting license in 2005, 2011 and 2012, the station currently broadcasts through the free to air WIZtech satellite platform and through the internet. Its morning broadcasts are between 0800 Hours and 1000 Hours and afternoon broadcasts are between 1400 Hours and 1600 Hours.

Vision, Mission and Goal

Radio VOP’s Vision is: A Zimbabwe that respects the right to information and enables citizens to freely exchange knowledge and ideas so as to make informed choices. The station’s Mission is to promote political, economic, social and cultural development in Zimbabwe through broadcasting, online and other multi-media platforms. Its Goal is to be the first to be the first choice radio station for informed opinion in Zimbabwe.1

Scope of Study

This study proceeds on the basis of the need to find out whether or not Radio VOP is operating within the framework of its Vision and Mission. It seeks to establish whether or not the station’s objectives are being achieved or otherwise and to come up with recommendations relating to how the station may improve the manner in which it executes its Mission statement.

Conducted within a week, this analysis is based on qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods. Qualitative interviews were

1 http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/about-radiovop-zimbabwe.html

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done with Radio VOP staff members and members of the general public who were randomly selected. A qualitative evaluation of Radio VOP programmes and news stories was also done on the basis of random sampling.

Quantitative analysis mainly related to a sample of people who included journalists, students, workers and other people that were randomly selected from the streets of Harare and interviewed. Radio VOP online sites including the Radio’s Facebook and website were also exposed to qualitative and quantitative analysis with view to establishing the nature of the station’s audiences, the extent of its reach and how members of the public perceive it. As a matter of fact, this research has limitations in terms of the geographical area covered, the number of members of the public sampled and the brief period within which it was undertaken. It, however, provides some deep insights that can help Radio VOP in terms of consolidating its position, improving its quality of programming and boosting its audience market share. This research and monitoring and evaluation pursuit also serves as a basis for the carrying out of a more elaborate research and monitoring and evaluation exercise on Radio VOP programming, audiences and other pertinent institutional issues.

2. FINDINGS

2.1. Summary of findings

The study proved that Radio VOP is well positioned to discharge its mission statement. There is a proper institutional governance framework for meeting the station’s objectives. There is also a programming scope that makes the station an alternative platform for promoting free expression and access to information. As shown by the study, Radio VOP goes a long way in trying to ensure that it carries a diversity of voices in its programming. However, the restrictive political and legal framework is largely hindering Radio VOP from becoming a full-fledged alternative broadcasting station that it should be. The pirate radio tag that has been placed upon it by government authorities is like an albatross hanging on the station’s neck. This has not been helped by a harsh financial environment that is hindering the station from attaining elaborate growth within the framework of the obtaining political and economic context. As also noted, there are internal institutional issues that need to be addressed to make the station more effective within the prevailing context. These are particularly to do with programming, marketing and staff development.

2.2. Essential Details on Findings

2.2.1. Institutional Governance Framework

As observed, Radio VOP has a proper governance and institutional framework that can enable it to become a full-fledged and renowned radio station. The framework includes a Board of Directors and a secretariat whose duties and roles are clearly defined. At the time this study was carried out, the

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secretariat had autonomy to exercise its policy implementation role while the Board sticks to policy formulation. There appeared to be harmony, respect and complementarity in the manner in which the secretariat and the Board exercised their duties.

2.2.2. Programming

Basing on the sample of programmes that were randomly selected from the news and current affairs genres, Radio VOP as gone a long way in promoting free expression and access to information. Programmes such as Talking Point CSOs Talk and Easy Talk with Amos provide a platform for reasonably open and free debate on political and socio-economic issues by people from a cross-section of political and civil society backgrounds. There have also been serious efforts to come up with programme themes focusing on marginalised social groups such as youths and women. However, this study proved that the current affairs programmes are dominated by voices of people from political parties, civil society and analysts. While there are some programmes that focus on cultural and social issues, most issues discussed in programmes are of a political nature, with political party functionaries, representatives of civil society and analysts drawn from the academia, civil society and the political sector dominating the debates. From the programmes sampled, not a single panellist is an ordinary citizen without vested connection to a political party or civil society organisation.

2.2.3. Representation of Minority Interests

In its programming, Radio VOP has made some attempts to represent interests of minorities and give them a platform to express their views. For example, in one of the Talking Point programmes, there is focus on the Balemba community in Mberengwa. This community has largely been ignored by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and other privately controlled radio stations. Having a programme that focuses on this community point to the extent in which Radio VOP has gone an extra step in ensuring that minority communities are accorded a voice on radio.

It however, must be noted that the station still needs to do more in terms of promoting free expression and access to information among minorities. As a matter of fact, Radio VOP only broadcasts in Ndebele, Shona and English. Minority communities such as the Balemba, Batonga, the Shangani and others never get to hear their languages on radio. Where there are programmes on minorities, they are in English, Ndebele or Shona. This is a case of cultural exclusion. When programmes on minorities are aired, they are represented by elites. A good example is that of the Balemba who were represented by Takavafirei Zhou, an urban based academic. Yet, the majority of the Balemba live in the Mberengwa communal lands. Someone resident in this area must have featured on the programme to air views on what members of this community go through on a daily basis.

2.2.4. Variety of Programme Subjects

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Radio VOP broadcasts a variety of programmes and uses a cross section of

panellists drawn from different political parties, Civil Society, the academia

and analysts.

As part of the study, eighteen programmes that were broadcast by Radio VOP

between16 October and 30 October 2013 were randomly selected for

classification. They were classified into five categories; namely, socio-

cultural, economic, current affairs, promotional and political as presented in

Fig 1 below:

Fig 1: Classification of Radio VOP Programmes

Date Programme title & details Classification

18 October News-focussing on the MDC’s attempt to contest the

results of the July 31 2013 harmonised elections.

Current Affairs

18 October VOP Quiz-programme in which listeners respond to

questions and winners are awarded prizes

Promotional

18 October The Granary- programme focusing on unemployment

and how Zimbabwe, despite having some of the most

educated people in Africa is failing to deal with the

problem

Current Affairs

18 October Talking Point-Programme focusing on the Iyasa

Cultural group in terms of its history & achievements.

Socio-Cultural

18October Talking Point- Focusing on the history & socio-

economic situation.

Socio-cultural

20 October Provincial News Round-up-Focusing on the effects

of drought on people & livestock in Binga. The

programme also dwelt on the bad shape of roads &

the compromised health delivery system in the area.

Current Affairs

20 October Easy Talk with Amos-focusing on the Mo Ibrahim

Foundation ranking Zimbabwe as one of the worst

governed countries in the world.

Current Affairs

21 October News-focussing on Headlands Chief’s view that Current Affairs

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women be banned from putting on mini- skirts &

trousers, which he said are upsetting the gods.

21 October Talking Point-focussing on the ZANU PF

government’s performance during its first two months

in office.

Political

21 October Dura Rezvizhinji- Shona version of the programme,

the Granary focussing on whether or not Zimbabwe's

education system is grooming students to be

entrepreneurs.

Economic

21 October Talking Point- Socio-Cultural

26 October VOP Quiz-a promotional program seeking to find out

about Radio VOP audiences’ listening habits

Promotional

26 October Nhawu Dzekumatunhu (provincial news)-focussing

on the socio-economic situation of farm workers in

Chegutu.

Current affairs

26 October Talking Point-focussing on Zimbabwe's economic

situation in terms of government's economic planning

& heavy taxation.

Economic

26 October Isipahla Solwazi-a Ndebele version of the program,

the Granary focussing on Zimbabwe's political party

history characterized by splits caused by ideological

differences.

Political

30 October News-focussing on Zimbabwe’s 2014 budget in

relation to the prioritisation of the health sec

Current Affairs

30 October Talking Point-focussing on the prevalence of

prophets performing miracles & how people have

embraced them. Also touched into stories of witchcraft

including the one of the Budiriro "witches" & the one in

which school children were said to have been turned

into baboons

Socio-cultural

30 October CSO’s Talk-focussing on the activities of the

Parliamentary Monitoring Trust of Zimbabwe (PMTZ),

a civic organization.

Political

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Socio - cultural22%

Political17%

Economic11%

Current affairs39%

Promotional11%

Percentage classification of programmes

Notwithstanding the poor representation of grassroots people and minorities, Radio VOP affords an opportunity to a diversity of voices to be on the airwaves. As the study proved, different people from different political persuasions have been on the station’s programmes. These include ZANU PF functionaries such as the party’s Deputy Information Director, Psychology Mazivisa, Goodson Nguni, Themba Mliswa, a Parliamentarian and others. Movement for Democratic Change formations have had the likes of Honourables Jessie Majome, Obert Gutu, Rejoice Ngwenya and others. Politicians such as Wurayai Zembe of the Democratic Party also feature on programmes. It is because of this that some people who were interviewed for the purposes of this study said they prefer listening to Radio VOP, which they say is an alternative to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio stations that they say are laden with ZANU PF propaganda.2

2.2.5. Radio VOP Audiences & Potential Audiences

Radio VOP’s target audiences are members of the general public.3 For purposes of ascertaining the impact of the station among members of the public, a random survey was done in the streets of Harare. The survey showed that while a significant number of people are aware of the existence of Radio VOP, fewer people follow its programming on a constant basis. Basing on the sample, figures of people who are aware of Radio VOP’s

2 For example reference is made to the interview with Tafadzwa Muranganwa, a freelance journalist who says ZBC is full of propaganda and he has to listen to Radio VOP for alternative information3 Interview with John Masuku, Radio VOP Director

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existence and those who follow or listen to its programmes are illustrated in Fig 2 as follows:

Fig 2: Statistics of those who are aware of the existence of Radio VOP and those who are not aware of the station’s existence.

people who are aware of Radio VOP's exis-

tence71%

people who are not aware of the existence

of Radio VOP29%

people who know VOP and people who dont know VOP

As shown, there are more people are aware of the existence of Radio VOP than those who are not, but less people listen to its programming.

Fig 2.1: Statistics of people who listen to Radio VOP and those who do not listen to it

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29%

71%

overal listernship statistics

people who listen to Radio VOP people who do not listen to Radio VOP

2.2.6. Staff & Institutional Development Needs

The study showed that Radio VOP needs capacitation in terms of staff development and in terms of broadening the scope of its programming. Of the four Radio VOP members of staff who work on broadcast programmes, only one, the organisation’s Director is trained in broadcasting. The other three were trained as print media journalists. Since 2012, only one broadcasting training course has been organised for the station’s staffers. The station also needs more financial resources in order to broaden the scope of its programming. Programmes such as Talking Point, Easy Talk with Amos, CSOs Talk and others can only involve few Harare based panellists owing to financial resource constraints. 4

2.2.7. Online and Social Media Presence

The station is fairly present online and social media platforms. Apart from its website (http://www.radiovop.com), Radio VOP has an interactive Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/RadioVopZimbabwe/138071669548383?fref=ts). As per the web analysis retrieved on 5 November 2013, the website has 8, 451 monthly visits. It also has 39, 917 pages being viewed on a monthly basis and has 479 external links. The station’s Facebook page had 2636 likes as on 11 November 2013 and is a viable platform through which audiences give feedback on programmes. It is also an interactive platform through which people from different political and socio-economic backgrounds participate in the making of news and give their views on various issues covered by Radio VOP. As seen through the Facebook page and website, the station covers a wide range of political, business and socio-cultural issues. Among various issues covered are those to do with service delivery, for example, the case of water shortages in communities such as Ruwa. The Facebook platform also provides a platform for socio-cultural commentary.

4 Interviews with Nkosana Dlamini, Radio VOP Producer-Presenter, Lynette Manzini, Radio VOP Programme presenter

and Jeffrey Moyo, Radio VOP Presenter

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Part of such commentary observed through this study is that around musician, Thomas Mapfumo’s musical album, Golden Classics. Audiences to give feedback on programmes including Talking Point, Easy Talk with Amos and CSOs Talk largely use SMS and email.

Apart from its website and Facebook, Radio VOP also utilises the mobile phone based Short Message Service (SMS) platform for feedback purposes. This is particularly important, especially for audiences in rural areas who have no access to smart phones that can be used to access internet and Facebook.

2.2.8. Audience Share in Comparison to Competitors

Within the confines of its context and status, Radio VOP’s main competitors are Studio 7 and Shortwave Radio Africa (SWRA). As shown by the interview based survey done through this study, more people tend to listen to Studio 7, with Radio VOP coming in second and SWRA third. As shown through the interviews, Studio 7 is easier to access through the Shortwave and Medium Wave platforms. Radio VOP, being on the Wiztech faces stiff competition from video-audio based stations that include numerous religious channels. As also observed, Studio 7 is also better resourced in terms of financial, human and technical resources. For example, Studio 7 has a larger number of staffers who were trained in broadcasting as compared to Radio VOP, which only has one journalist trained in broadcasting.

2.2.8. Politico-legal Constraints & the Pirate Tag

The proper functioning of VOP continues to be affected by an inhibitive political and legal environment. The Broadcasting Services Act, which has created a monopolistic environment in broadcasting, is the major stumbling block to the existence of Radio VOP as a full-fledged alternative radio station that it can be. Owing to the harsh legal and political environment, government authorities continue to label Radio VOP a pirate radio station that is operating illegal. As shown by this study, the pirate tag tends to turn away potential audiences from the station. For example, some of the people interviewed said they cannot post comments on the station’s website and Facebook page for fear of political reprisals. The Pirate tag is also a cause of concern for staffers. One of the Presenter-Producers, Nkosana Dlamini says the idea of the station being called a pirate radio station is a fear factor for him and fellow staffers. Owing to this, Radio VOP staffers tend to be identified through pseudonyms when broadcasting programmes. This, as Nkosana said, inhibits professional growth as it tends to popularise pseudonyms instead of creating professional growth around their actual names. He further stated that the fact that they cannot engage in live broadcasting makes it difficult to get effective feedback from listeners. 5 A number of members of the public interviewed for purposes of this study were also not free to reveal their identities fearing victimisation.

3. Conclusion

5 Interview, Nkosana Dlamini

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Since inception, Radio VOP has managed to put up an institutional and programmatic framework that distinguishes it as an alternative broadcasting station operating in a restrictive environment. The station is however affected by some inhibitive factors that are constraining further growth. Chief among these factors is a restrictive legal and political environment. The growth of the station is also being hampered by a shrinking financial resource base that is stifling staff development, programme expansion and programme development.

4. Recommendations

Considering the inhibitive operating environment, how the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has invited applications for more radio broadcasting licenses and the current efforts at engaging the private media by the Minister of information and Broadcasting Services, Radio VOP must, again, apply for a broadcasting license;

In view of the findings relating to audience market share, Radio VOP needs to engage in an intensive marketing of its programmes to expand the figures of people who follow its programming. The station’s website, Facebook page, SMS, Twitter, Whattsapp and other relevant platforms can be utilised for this purpose.

Considering how programme panellists are largely politicians, analysts, academics, Civil Society officials and other elites, there is need to expand programming to include panellists from among ordinary citizens;

There is need for Radio VOP’s financial resource base to be expanded for purposes of staff development, expanding and improving programme quality;

Considering the sited limitations relating to broadcasting through Wiztech and the internet, Radio VOP’s accessibility must be boosted through presence on Medium Wave and Shortwave;

Radio VOP’s airtime must be increased for purposes of expanding the enjoyment of free expression and access to information;

Zimbabwe’s broadcasting policy and legal framework must be democratised to pave way for free and open broadcasting by Radio VOP and other alternative broadcasting stations;

Considering the limited scope of this study in terms of the sample used and geographical area covered, there is need for more comprehensive research into Radio VOP audiences and the effectiveness of its programming.

References

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http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/about-radiovop-zimbabwe.html

(Radio Vop Zimbabwe website ). Available from: http://www.radiovop.com/.

(Radio VOP Zimbabwe Facebook page) Available from: https://www.facebook.com/pages/RadioVopZimbabwe/138071669548383?fref=ts.

Interviews

Interviewee Gender Date and Time ProfessionTafadzwa Muranganwa

Male 31-10-2013, 1100 Hours

Journalist

Taurai Zvirimumoyo

Male 31-10-2013, 1540 Hours

Security officer

Tawanda Mashiri Male 31-10-2013, 1030 Hours

Journalist

Silvia Nyoni Female 31-10-2013, 1017 Hours

General Public

Tafara Magede Male 31-10-2013, 1325 Hours

Unemployed

Chipo Kanyondo Female 31-10-2013, 1420 Hours

House-wife

Tanyaradzwa Manyere

Female 31-10-2013, 1130 Hours

Student

Moyo Tariro Male 31-10-2013, 1411 Hours

Student

Mutsvanga Terry Male 31-10-2013, 1440 Hours

Journalist, Director of Coalition Against Corruption

Wadzanai Female 31-10-2013 1514 Hours

Journalist

Not provided Female 31-10-2013 1206 Hours

Not employed

Not provided Female 31-10-2013 13:09pm

Not employed

Not provided Female 31-10-2013, 1450 Hours

Not employed

Not provided Female 31-10-2013, 1500 Hours

Not employed

John Masuku Male 01/11/2013, 1100 Hours

Radio VOP Director

Nkosana Dlamini Male 31/10/2013, 1500 Hours

Radio VOP Producer-Presenter

Lynette Manzini Female 02/11/2013, 0900 Hours

Radio VOP Presenter

Feffrey Moyo Male 03/11/2013, 1000 Hours

Radio VOP Presenter

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