Story by Fungai Jachi
Media reforms introduced by the Second Republic are expected to advance the media landscape as the government moves-in to improve the welfare of journalists and promote professionalism.
Government says it is determined to improve the operating environment for journalists as the media is a critical tool in the dissemination of information.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere has stressed the importance of strengthening the existing legislative framework and introducing laws that address the welfare of journalists and the media profession.
He said, “We have successfully done the Media Commission Act which we now seek to amend to strengthen the definition of a journalist. We have also brought in the Media Practitioner’s Bill which now seeks to professionalise the industry to define who is a journalist and who is not in terms of qualification experience, internship and in terms of orientation in terms of nation-building. So, all these legal and regulatory processes that we have put in place seek to cement and strengthen the importance of journalists in the context of the fourth revolution.”
He added that journalists should keep up with modern trends to remain relevant in the 21st century.
“Part of the training has been to equip students with digital skills and how best as a nation we are in a position to highlight and raise awareness on critical issues particularly as we face sanctions imposed on our country and the issue of drug and substance abuse. So, journalists need to have a fusion of the utilisation of the mainstream print and television and radio plus in addition to homegrown media platforms that can be utilised to inform the rest of the world.”
The Media Practioners’ Bill is set to be tabled in the National Assembly for debate after the cabinet approved its principles.
The Bill seeks to create a legal framework that outlines parameters for the regulation of the media as provided for in section 249 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
