Staff Reporter
Yesterday, Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day, at a time the country is making significant strides under the Second Republic in ensuring a safe, free and competitive media environment.
Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted government’s efforts towards ensuring press freedom which includes the passage of several bills into laws and the opening up of airwaves for both radio and television broadcasts.
“In July 2020, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) was repealed and effectively replaced with the Freedom of information Act, the Freedom of Information Act heralded a new chapter in the country’s media landscape in as far as transparency and access to information is concerned,” read part of the statement Minister Mutsvangwa issued to mark World Press Freedom day.
The Minister further expounded that the coming into effect of the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act also signposts the developments registered in the media sector. The Act seeks to make further provision with regard to the functions of the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the manner in which the commission exercises its functions.
The Act has been widely commended by stakeholders such as the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) for being progressive and providing a wide definition of media which includes the dissemination of information through the internet and any other electronic means.
Six private television stations were granted licenses by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe in November 2020 in a bid to open airwaves.
“It is expected that these new players will bring diversity and plurality in the media sector as well as create employment,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She emphasised the need for improvement of working conditions for media practitioners and encouraged media house owners to ensure provision of adequate PPEs in this Covid-19 era since government has already designated media practitioners as essential service workers.
“Journalists were also prioritised together with frontline health workers in the national Covid-19 vaccination programme. It is my hope that all journalists have by now taken advantage of the special designation as essential service workers to get their Covid-19 vaccine,” said minister Mutsvangwa.
In 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 May as World Press Freedom Day following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of the violations of press freedom.
Meanwhile, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this year’s theme “Information for the Public good” underlined the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information. The Minister called for attention to the essential role of free and professional journalists in producing and disseminating information by tackling misinformation and other harmful content. Furthermore, various media representatives have commended the Second Republic for its reforms towards upgrading the rights of access to information and increasing diversity and pluralism in the broadcasting sector.
