Government lauded for enabling environment for media

Gibson Mhaka

THE Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa has made tremendous progress in fostering a more enabling environment in the media sector, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.

In a statement to mark the World Press Freedom Day, Dr Muswere said the Second Republic has made significant progress in ensuring a safe, free and competitive operating environment for all media to thrive.

“The Second Republic under the astute leadership of His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa has made tremendous progress in the creation of an enabling environment in the media sector. The Second Republic has made significant progress in ensuring a safe, free and competitive operating environment for all media to thrive. This was done through enactment of media friendly laws and repealing of laws that impinged on media operations such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). This led to the opening up of airwaves for both radio and television thus ensuring media diversity which resonates well with His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Dr Muswere.

Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3. This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme:” A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”.

The theme focuses on the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environment crisis. It also highlights the important role played by the press in accessing and dissemination of information.

This guarantees a secure and sustainable future that respects freedom of expression, media plurality and gender equality. Dr Muswere said the Government was amending the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act and the Broadcasting Services Act to professionalise the media sector, allow for its independence and co-regulation and ensure its growth and development.