It is critical to point out that the registration of journalists by a body like ZMC is itself not the best set-up. The ideal situation would be for each employer to issue out its own cards to journalists for identification purposes or the union to give cards to its members, said Sibanda in an address to journalists at the belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations.
Sibanda also called the inclusive government to repeal oppressive media laws such as Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Public Security Order Act (POSA).
He said while the media reforms were unfolding, Zimbabwes controversial media laws continued to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb.
Not only are these pieces of legislation archaic but they were proving to be the greatest threat to Press Freedom in Zimbabwe at the moment. They have the effect of cowing journalists into silence resulting in the death of investigative journalism, he said.
The ZUJ president said the government should open airwaves to end the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporations (ZBC) monopoly. He said the opening of a second television channel in Harare by ZBC, while commendable was a far cry from the expectations of the people.
He said the second channel covered a radius of 80 kilometres, thereby shutting out the rest of the country.
Post published in: News