Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) is holding a media indaba with various key stakeholders including the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, to address pressing issues that affect the media industry.
Key among challenges to be discussed are poor remuneration for journalists, state of the media operating field, media reform process, use of information communication technologies, sexual harassment and others.
Among the delegates are Minister of Media Dr Jenfan Muswere who is the guest of honour, his deputy Dr Omphile Marupi, members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, Zimbabwe Media
Commission chair Professor Ruby Magosvongwe, Zimbabwe Gender Commission chief executive Mrs Virginia Muwanigwa, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Ms Florence Taruvinga and representatives from the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission, Mass Media Trust, Gender and Media Connect, civic society, support and development partners, media owners and heads of different public and private media houses.
Police are also expected to attend.
In his welcome remarks, ZUJ president George Maponga said the indaba is a clarion call for action on issues affecting journalists who stand as guardians of truth.
“Today we gather at this media indaba to address pressing issues in the media landscape. We are concerned about the snail’s pace in the enactment of the media legislation. We want to advocate implementation of a co-regulation framework that empowers the media industry to regulate itself through a media council.
“Poor salaries compromise the quality of journalism. We call on the Government to introduce a media fund to support struggling media houses and remove duty on electronic gadgets and tools of the trade,” said Maponga.
The indaba seeks to come up with a road-map that leads to a sustainable media industry in the wake of citizen journalism and artificial intelligence.
Online Reporter