Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) is accelerating efforts to improve access to information by decentralising and digitising its services, including the introduction of online journalist accreditation by March this year.
ZMC Acting Executive Secretary, Nyaradzo Makombe Hazangwi, said the commission was expanding its provincial footprint after establishing an office in Bulawayo, with Mutare next, followed by Masvingo and Gweru.
Speaking to ZBC News on the sidelines of a media engagement in Marondera this Monday, Hazangwi said the reforms were aimed at improving efficiency and bringing professional services closer to media practitioners.
“As the ZMC, we have plans to cover all provinces to bring accreditation services closer to media practitioners. We are trying to embrace ease of doing business for our journalists,” she said.
“As part of implementing our decentralisation plan, we are moving on to have offices in Mutare, as we already have one in Bulawayo. We are also looking forward to decentralising services to Masvingo and the Midlands in the coming year,” she added.
She said the commission would roll out an online accreditation system by March, allowing journalists to apply and be accredited remotely from across the country.
“This will ensure journalists are accredited online from all over the country,” she said.
Media practitioners in Mashonaland East welcomed the move, saying it would reduce costs and improve access to professional development opportunities.
“We are happy that the Media Commission came to Marondera to accredit us. This engagement has been an eye-opener,” journalist Nathan Mbwanda said.
Another journalist, Nyaradzo Mutendera, said the decentralisation drive had simplified accreditation processes.
“We learned a lot about image building and decentralisation, and we are pleased that accreditation will soon be done online,” she said.
Journalist Talent Jere said ZMC officials had also committed to capacity building. “They promised to capacitate us through online lessons, including training in artificial intelligence and environmental reporting,” he said.
The developments come as Government continues to expand media pluralism, with more television and radio stations licensed under the Second Republic.
