HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe’s first licensed commercial radio station went live Monday, ending a 32-year monopoly by the state-controlled broadcaster and meeting some demands to free up the nation’s airwaves ahead of proposed elections.

Star FM radio claimed Monday that it is the first independent broadcaster since President Robert Mugabe led the nation to independence in 1980. But that claim is offset by the fact that the station is owned by Zimbabwe Newspapers, publishers of newspaper titles loyal to Mugabe.