admin
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has applauded the new Freedom of Information Act as a comprehensive law that promotes the much-needed freedom of expression and access to information in the country.
Addressing participants in a virtual dialogue to launch the My Freedom of Information (MFoI) Campaign recently, Minister Mutsvangwa said the promotion of freedom of expression and access to information is part of the core mandates of the Second Republic.
She said in efforts to compliment freedom of expression and access to information, the Government has licenced community radio stations across the country, two of which will serve the people of Chipinge and Nyanga.
“Information should be readily available to anyone whereever they are. We want people in Chipinge or Nyanga to have the same access to information as the people in Harare.
“Not only are we looking at giving them information, but we are also looking at getting information from the communities. We want talent to be identified in these communities,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“We need to remove the polarisation that was there before. We are one people. There is no private and public media, we are one media.
“As a ministry, we have an open door policy because at the end of the day we are the people who build and rebrand the country. It is all about rebranding and by promoting the Freedom of Information Act that was enacted last year, we are leading in the rebranding process. Freedom of expression and access to information are critical in rebranding the country,” she said.
The MFoI Campaign is implemented by a development partner, Tag A Life International, in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and Identities Media.
It is also supported and sponsored by the Fojo Media Institute and the Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe.
Thirty journalists from across the country, three from each province, were trained as campaign ambassadors for the campaign.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe’s legal and ICT policy officer, Ms Nompilo Simanje said the new Act is in tune with the Constitution.
She said there is need for such campaigns to educate everyone on how easily accessible information has become.
Ms Simanje said the Freedom of Information Act will empower journalists and assist them to discharge their duties without their rights being infringed upon.
Ms Nyaradzo Mashayamombe, founder of Tag A Life International, said the campaign was designed to promote the Freedom of Information Act so that
citizens, especially minorities and journalists, may assert their rights to access to information.
“We are a girls and young women’s rights organisation and are raising awareness about the new Act enacted last year. Our aim is to ensure that vulnerable and marginalised communities, including women, girls, youths and those living with disabilities have access to the information they need to promote their rights.
“It is also important as resources have been brought closer to people through devolution. It promotes transparency,” she said.
Online Reporter