NEW: Govt creating environment for media to flourish

Debra Matabvu

The new political administration had made significant strides in creating an open and plural media over the past four years, and will assiduously continue with the reform agenda, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day commemorations held in Harare on Wednesday, the minister said Government has created an enabling environment for new players and conducive for media to flourish.

“In 2020, we repealed the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which had been widely criticised for stifling media spaces in the country. Government enacted the Freedom of Information Act in July 2020, setting a whole new paradigm for media operations in the country,” she said.

“We have also amended the Broadcasting Services Act and set a new wave of opening up of the sector which has so far seen the licensing of new players in the broadcasting sector in the form of commercial television players, commercial radio and community radio stations.”

She said last month Government launched the US$125 million digital switchover programme that will see at least 12 free-to-air television stations coming on board.

“Further, we have installed close to two dozen transmitters that will see some areas that previously did not receive radio and TV signals getting information for the first time since Independence. All this is taking place because of the commitment by the Government led by President Mnangagwa.”