KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe finalizes a media policy to improve the industry.
- Journalists’ welfare and fair pay remain a major concern.
- Government calls for ethical reporting and press accountability.
The Zimbabwean government is urging the media to take an active role in promoting national development while adhering to ethical reporting standards.
During a media stakeholders’ meeting in Harare, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister highlighted that journalists maintain significant power to form the country’s path ahead.
Dr. Muswere asserted that freedom of press has constitutional protection but cautioned journalists to prevent the dissemination of false information and violent incitement through their work.
According to The Chronicle, he also expressed concern over the decline in credibility among some media platforms, particularly in the print industry.
“We should promote freedom of the press and the growth of media while ensuring responsible reporting,” he said.
“We have introduced the Freedom of Information Act to guarantee access to information, but journalists must remain ethical and professional.”
The minister emphasized that journalists must study relevant regulations which include the Cyber and Data Protection Act, to meet legal requirements.
Addressing Journalists’ welfare and media industry challenges
The event brought forward journalists’ welfare issues which included both low pay, delayed payments and overall instability in the media sector.
The minister accepted these work challenges by making a pledge to enhance journalist pay and work environment standards.
“We want journalists to be fairly compensated for their work to ensure a strong and professional media sector,” he said. “Our goal is to establish a National Employment Council (NEC) to address employment issues within the media industry.”
The minister urged the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) to collaborate with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to finalize the NEC’s creation.
He emphasized that a united effort is necessary to improve working conditions and maintain journalism as a respected profession.
ZUJ President George Maponga suggested the establishment of a media fund to support struggling media houses.
ZCTU President Florence Taruvinga also called for unity among journalists to address industry challenges effectively.
Pushing for media reforms and policy changes
The government declared completion of an integrated Media and Communication Policy which emerged from discussions with relevant industry representatives.
Dr. Muswere voiced expectations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will officially launch the policy next month, thus modernizing Zimbabwe’s media operations.
The national media structure of Zimbabwe has remained incomplete since more than ten years, according to his statement.
The new policy development aims to create a strong platform which upholds Vision 2030 standards and makes the media industry digital compatible.
The minister emphasized that an upper-middle-income society transition requires media stakeholders to work together for solving emerging industry problems.
Journalists and all media establishments should both participate actively in national discussions and identify crucial information gaps, to make positive contributions toward Zimbabwe’s development targets.
