admin
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, Senior Reporter
In a move aimed at bolstering corporate governance within the media sector, board members of parastatals under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services have signed integrity pledges.
This is expected to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct among those leading these entities.
The ceremony, which was held in Harare yesterday, was presided over by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson, Mr Michael Reza.
Addressing the board chairpersons, Mr Reza said the Integrity Pledge was a critical component of the country’s broader corruption prevention strategy.
“It is a clarion call that corruption will not be tolerated. Your institutions are not just conveyors of information; you are key pillars of our democracy.
“Your commitment to integrity is essential in creating a corruption-resistant media environment dedicated to promoting ethics. This pledge is a testament to your desire to contribute to a better and more transparent Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said the fight against corruption required a collective effort from every sector including government, civil society, the private sector, and institutions like the media as well.
“The media’s potential to expose corruption and promote accountability is vital to ensure all sectors adhere to integrity and transparency. Your incredible capacity in exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable strengthens our national institutions and restores public faith,” said Mr Reza.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said corruption destroys the moral substance of society hence every individual serving in the Government should always prioritise serving the people of Zimbabwe.
“The signing of an integrity pledge is not only a good thing; it is part of the process, we should start to put in place structures within the parastatals that you preside over so that we are in a position to deal with this challenge. For us to be able to achieve Vision 2030, for us to be able to leave no one in no place behind, it is our responsibility, principally and primarily as citizens, to be good citizens and to practice good ethical conduct,” he said.
He said the Government had put in place e-government systems to reduce human interference within the Government structures.
Speaking after signing the integrity pledges, board chairpersons of parastatals, that included ZBC, Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust, Transmedia (ZMTT), ZIFTESSA and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), expressed their commitment to maintaining and improving integrity in the media sector.
ZMMT board chair Advocate Honour Mukushi said: “The cause is laudable; we are glad to be associated with anti-corruption activities. Going back, we are going to carry the rest of the mass media employees with us to enhance the importance of integrity and ensure that people know that anti-corruption is an ongoing exercise,” he said.
ZBC board chair, Ms Helliate Rushwaya, said the signing of the pledges was a sign of commitment to good corporate governance.
“By signing these integrity pledges, it means we have committed that in all the work that we are doing, there is integrity in that. Integrity will mean that our work is transparent, we are accountable in the way we do things and by being transparent and accountable it means we are demonstrating good corporate governance,” she said.
Transmedia chief executive officer, Engineer Adonia Mushosho, also highlighted the importance of the integrity pledges.
“This is an important milestone and it is just reinforcing what we have been doing at Transmedia; to operate with absolute integrity and making sure that we value the importance of delivering honestly for our company. We are looking forward to taking things a step further to make sure we do our work transparently,” he said.
Online Reporter