Government spurs growth of media sector: Minister Muswere

Leonard Ncube
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said the Second Republic has made significant changes to support the growth of the media and to ensure that the sector plays its role in national development agenda.
Dr Muswere was speaking while officiating at the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) “Meet the Employer” media indaba that is currently underway in Harare.
He said one of the primary and tangible achievements is creating a conducive environment where journalists are free to execute their duties with a responsibility to be part of national development and nation-building.
He said a nation cannot grow when the media focuses on defaming citizens, adding that everyone has the right to be respected.
“As a Government and in terms of the Constitution, we have achieved a lot and we are not afraid of what journalists write about, as long as it is the truth,” he said.
“No journalist has been arrested during my term and that’s an achievement. We have licensed several media houses because we support the growth of the media.”
He said the Government had also allowed the importation of media tools through the National Arts Council for media houses that are registered with the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
The minister said a lot is being done to create a desirable media industry
Dr Muswere said journalists should take the lead in creating a National Employment Council. To show Government commitment, Dr Muswere challenged ZUJ to set timeframes and to make sure that the draft process is speeded up.
He said mainstream media are the eyes and ears of the public, adding that they should be able to sustain operations during the era of digital media and artificial intelligence.
Speaking on the same platform, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president, Ms Florence Taruvinga reiterated the need to improve journalists’ working conditions.