Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE post-Cabinet media briefing introduced by the Government in 2019 has created a platform for investment in the economy and been a vehicle to deepen democracy, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said yesterday.
Speaking at the end of the last such briefing this year, Dr Muswere said the platform was one of the vehicles that helped the country defeat the Covid-19 pandemic through information dissemination.
“The post-Cabinet briefing sessions have provided a platform for Zimbabweans and foreign investors who have contributed so much to the growth of our economy,” he said. “It has transformed our value chains, be it cotton, be it maize, be it sugarcane, be it in the mining sector or retail sector.
“And this platform has been key in terms of strengthening our democracy. It has been key in terms of articulating a number of Government issues, and has also been key in terms of our aspirations as a people.
“So, I want to thank you members of the Fourth Estate and hope you will continuously participate in the post-Cabinet media briefing sessions as we work together to develop our economy, for Vision 2030, which is a collective responsibility.”
Dr Muswere said attaining Vision 2030 would be a team effort. The briefing platform helped Zimbabwe achieve macroeconomic growth with a rising gross domestic product.
“It has also ensured that we have defeated some of the worst pandemics, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Zimbabwe defeated the Covid-19 pandemic, not only by virtue of having the doctors and nurses on our side, but also the role of media in terms of prevention, masking up and vaccines that members of the Fourth Estate managed to ensure that the nation remained educated, informed, entertained and at the same time raising awareness of critical issues.
“We have also achieved in terms of our economy, uniting our people in development, mainly because of the role of the media.
“The polarisation is gone and national unity has been the cornerstone in terms of our achievements as we journey towards an upper middle-income society by the year 2030.”
Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya commended the media for covering the post-Cabinet briefings well.
The platform was a vehicle to enhance Government-citizens communication.
“Through these briefings, the citizens are kept informed of the new developments, policies, programmes, and projects adopted by the Government.
“I am sure you will agree with me that the post-Cabinet media briefing platform demonstrates the Government’s continued firm commitment to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability,” said Dr Rushwaya.
Speaking on behalf of the media, Zvamaida Murwira of The Herald said: “It is pleasing that the post-Cabinet briefing has been held in an environment that reflects the pluralism and media diversity that the country enjoys, an environment of diversity that the Second Republic through the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services continue to create by liberalising the airwaves and other media channels.
“The platform has also fulfilled one of the Constitution’s fundamental rights, that of right to information, which is a cornerstone of any democracy, as that right helps citizens in making informed decisions,” said Murwira.
