Zim Now Writer
The relocation of the recently-rebranded Platinum FM, formally Nyami Nyami FM is intended to have the Mashonaland West story told, according to Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
The station, a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group, was once based in the resort town of Kariba and Minister Mutsvangwa last weekend presided over its re-location to Chinhoyi.
“We believe that the station will tell the Mashonaland West story and not only help the government to disseminate information but also assist in gathering information that will help us make informed decisions.
“The station’s content must put Zimbabwe first through the lenses of the people of Mashonaland West. The station must honour and protect the rich culture of the area it broadcasts in.
“The change of name from culturally Nyami Nyami FM to the commercially appropriate Platinum FM gives the station a new and exciting flavor.
“Platinum depicts the highest level of service achievement in the mining industry and other areas. This coincides with the fact that the province hosts the largest deposits of platinum mineral and is at the center of our goal to achieve a US$12 billion mining industry,” she said.
She applauded Zimpapers for investing in state-of-the-art studios at Platinum FM, and expanding the station’s coverage area.
From initially only covering 200 000 people, the radio station now has an audience of about one million, including in big regional population centres as Banket, Rafingora, Chegutu, Lions’ Den and Mhangura.
Mutsvangwa said the expanded coverage could not have come at a better time than now when the country was heading for a general election in a few months’ time in which the electorate would want accurate and verified information.
“As we are heading for elections, I also call for every one of us to observe peace. Zimbabweans are known for being peaceful people, let’s uphold that and not import a culture that we do not have,” she said.
Since 2017, 14 community, seven campus, 10 provincial and six national radio stations have been licenced and some are already operating terrestrially and via the internet.
New national television stations have also been licenced, and some have begun operating as government pushes ahead with reforming and liberalising the country’s media landscape.
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