adminArron Nyamayaro
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, has urged journalists to maintain media ethics, including fairness, accuracy and objectivity in their work.
Speaking at the official opening of Nkululeko Rusunguko Television (NRTV) in Harare on Monday evening, the Minister said the opening up of airwaves would enable more television channels to disseminate information.
She said this bodes well with “Government’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.”
The advent of NRTV means Zimbabwe now has six licenced private television stations, with four currently on air.
“I implore NRTV to uphold media ethics of fairness, objectivity and accuracy as they execute their mandate in light of other competing media channels,” said Min Mutsvangwa.
“More television channels are expected to go on air soon and this will add more competition in terms of information dissemination and covering different stories using different angles of reporting.
“The opening up of airwaves will ensure the smooth dissemination of information even to those formally marginalised areas.
“The opening up of various media channels has also afforded citizens an opportunity to have a wide selection of infotainment and news.
“This has also enabled thousands of media graduates an opportunity to get employed as journalists, news anchors and producers,” she said.
Min Mutsvangwa said the coming on air of NRTV is yet another fulfilment of promises made by the Second Republic, under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, to foster wholesome media reforms which guarantee media plurality and diversity.
“This is also a clear testimony that President Mnangagwa is not only a man of his word, but a true reformist as well.
“The launch of NRTV follows the successful realignment of media laws to the Constitution.
“In the past, Government’s relationship with the media was marked by mistrust and hostility, especially the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which the media felt was infringing on its operations.
“However, the coming in of the Second Republic saw AIPPA repealed giving birth to the Media Commission Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
“This has led to the licensing of 14 community radio stations, eight campus radio stations and six private televisions stations,with four on air, including NRTV.
“The licenced private TV stations are ZTN Prime TV, 3ktv, Kumba TV, Channel D, Keyona TV and NRTV.
“The launch of NRTV is an exciting moment and a clear testimony that Zimbabwe is open for business, including in digital broadcasting.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter