Voice of Zimbabwe reaches global audience

[XXPANTHAXX]

VOICE of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe's world radio station, appears to be
reaching all parts of the globe judging by the correspondence it is
receiving from countries as far apart as Brazil and India.

The station, which broadcasts on shortwave in the 60 metre (evenings)
and 49 metre (daytime) bands, is also providing Zimbabweans in Binga and
other outlying areas that cannot receive FM broadcasts, with a radio
service.

Voice of Zimbabwe station manager Shadreck Mupeni last week said letters
have been received from as far afield as Brazil, Japan, India,
Australia, Poland and Greece.

Many of them are from listeners who have expressed an interest in
visiting Zimbabwe, with some of them asking the station to broadcast
programmes and advertisements about the country's tourist attractions.

"Many of them have indicated that they would like to visit Zimbabwe in
2010, when World Cup soccer comes to South Africa and have asked to be
put in touch with local tourism contacts," said Mupeni.

"The letters received recently have all been positive. They have
confirmed the signal quality is good.

"Some have requested programming details and made suggestions for
programmes the writers would like to hear, particularly in relation to
tourism, Zimbabwean culture and the main activities that take place in
Zimbabwe."

Mupeni said letters had also been received from people in Binga and
Mutoko, making suggestions on some of the music they would like to hear
on the station during the day.

Voice of Zimbabwe began broadcasting to the world from Gweru on May 25
2007.

It is Zimbabwe's first international broadcast station and currently
broadcasts news and news analysis programmes from 6pm to 9pm. From June
30, it will be broadcasting a repeat of these programmes from 6am to
9am.

During the rest of the day and evening the station broadcasts local
music, which has turned out to be a boon for Zimbabweans not only in
Binga and Mutoko but anywhere else, if they have a radio that receives
shortwave transmissions.

"Our news-based discussion programmes are popular among our listeners,
judging by the feedback we have been receiving. Particularly popular is
a programme called "Let's Talk About It". We would like to offer our
listeners more such programmes," Mupeni said.

The station targets a world audience to provide those living outside the
country with factual information and informed discussions to counter
some of the propaganda that they are subjected to by major English
language foreign broadcasters.

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation acting chief executive Happison
Muchechetere, who spearheaded the launch of the station, said: "The news
analysis offered on Voice of Zimbabwe, although aimed at an
international audience, may interest local people as well.

"Voice of Zimbabwe gives Zimbabweans living abroad and anyone abroad
with an interest in Zimbabwe the opportunity to hear what is really
happening in Zimbabwe and to listen to news analyses from a Zimbabwean
perspective.

"There is so much distortion of news on Zimbabwe, misinformation and
downright propaganda that it is easy not only for foreigners but
Zimbabweans living abroad as well to develop a completely unreal
perception of what really is happening in Zimbabwe."