Journalists to get stands

Harare Bureau
Journalists in both the public and private media will soon secure residential stands under a government programme targeted at improving their welfare, Secretary for Media, Information and Broadcasting Services George Charamba told Zimbabwe Union of Journalists representatives at a meeting in Harare recently.

The ministry has since approached the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing over the matter.
Charamba said: “We had a meeting with Zuj where a number of issues were raised; issues to do with the National Journalistic and Media Awards, the Information Media Panel of Inquiry Report and journalists’ welfare, relating to making a case for affordable residential stands for our newsmen.

“On welfare, we’ve a lot of land that’s being turned into residential areas, and we would like media personnel to benefit from such initiatives.”
Charamba also said, “As a ministry, we’re making a case with our counterpart ministry so that we can have affordable residential stands for journalists.

“Under this programme, we’re looking at benefiting journalists across the country. We want journalists from all media houses, and not just those in Harare, to benefit from the initiative.”

Zuj secretary-general Foster Dongozi added:
“It’s a scheme that will benefit journalists, but not for free, of course. Journalists should take advantage of skills they acquire to create opportunities for themselves and create employment as well, taking advantage of such housing schemes.”