“No journalist has been arrested during my term” – Dr Jenfan Muswere, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said the Second Republic has made significant positive changes to support growth of media and make sure the sector plays its role in the national development agenda.

Dr Muswere said this while officiating at the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) “Meet the Employer” media indaba that is underway in Harare.
He said one of the primary and tangible achievements is creating a conducive environment where journalists are free to execute their duties and with a responsibility to be part of national development and nation building.

He said a nation cannot grow when the media focuses on defaming citizens especially since everyone has a human right to be respected.
“As a Government and in terms of the Constitution we have achieved and we are not afraid of anything you write about as long as it is the truth. No journalist has been arrested during my term and that’s an achievement. We have licenced a number of media houses as we support growth of media,” said Dr Muswere.

He said Government had also allowed importation of media tools of the trade through the National Arts Council as long as the media house is registered with the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
He said a lot was being done to create the “Zimbabwe We Want” in terms of the media, adding that journalists should take the lead in the journey to create a National Employment Council.
To show Government commitment, Dr Muswere challenged ZUJ to put timeframes and to make sure the draft process is speeded up.

The Minister said the mainstream media should be able to set a trajectory as it is part of national responsibility which acts as the eyes and ears of the public and be able to sustain in the era of digital media and artificial intelligence.
Speaking on the same platform, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Ms Florence Taruvinga reiterated the need to improve working conditions of journalists for them to be able to portray Government policies as expected.