‘Media Bill not meant to muzzle press’

Sunday Mail Reporter

THE proposed amendments to the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Act and the Media Practitioners Bill are not intended to muzzle the media, but to enrich and develop an all-inclusive policy and legislative framework that respects the media industry, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.

Speaking at the third Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Media Indaba held at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo on Thursday last week, Dr Muswere said there was need for collaboration between the ZMC and the wider industry to ensure clear differentiation between professional journalists and non-journalists.

He said the Government remained open to public contributions that would assist in crafting a policy framework that supports media freedom while guarding against abuse by individuals masquerading as journalists.

“Amendments to the ZMC Act are ongoing, and as Government we have said that we don’t have a monopoly of knowledge in terms of policy formulation and development,” he said.

“We want each and every Zimbabwean, each and every sector in the media industry to be able to contribute with ideas so that we enrich and develop an all-inclusive policy framework and legislative amendments that respect the media industry. We need to be able to work together with the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the rest of the industry for us to be able to differentiate between who is a journalist and who is not a journalist.”

Dr Muswere said defining who qualifies as a journalist or a media practitioner was critical, especially in an environment where cyber abuse is becoming more frequent.

He said Government had taken note of some people in the habit of producing fictitious documents and Bills purporting they were authentic.

Dr Muswere said journalists and members of the public should approach the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services seeking clarification if they come across such documents.

He reiterated that while freedom of expression and media freedom were enshrined in Sections 61 and 62 of the Constitution, such rights were not absolute and must not infringe on the rights to dignity, privacy and integrity of others.

He underscored the Government’s commitment to creating a transparent environment that allows the media to flourish, while ensuring that the sector contributes positively to nation-building.

“The New Dispensation is transparent; we have nothing to hide,” said Dr Muswere.

“We are open. We want a future that allows the media industry to be able to flourish and a future that allows all media practitioners to be free to protect their sources. We want a media industry that reports on facts, but not on mirages and shadows.”

Dr Muswere stressed that the Government would not support cyber terrorism or the misuse of media platforms to incite violence.

“The Government will not support cyber-terrorism as it incites violence. We have a nation to build, one that has a media industry whose role is to raise awareness about terrorism,” he said.

“We want a media industry that raises awareness about the growth of the economy, inform and educate the nation.”