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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Media Practitioners Bill will go a long way in empowering local journalists as well as improve their welfare, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana has said.
Giving his keynote address at a United Nations Workshop on Development Reporting for Editors and senior journalists at a local hotel today, Mr Mangwana said the Bill, which is already in its draft form, now awaits stakeholder consultations.
Mr Mangwana said among other reasons, the amendment of media law reforms comes after findings that reportage on developmental issues is only possible in a media landscape that allows free flow and access to information.
“In Development Reporting, safety of journalists and media organisation is also promoted at the same time co-regulated guided by journalism ethics and standards thus the repelling of laws like AIPPA and introduction of laws like Freedom of Information Act and Media Practitioners Bill.
“The welfare of journalists is of paramount importance as they play an integral role in the dissemination of developmental projects using their different platforms,” he said.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyere, is expected to officially open the event tomorrow morning.
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