At an advocacy meeting on womens rights, organized by the Womens Rights Forum (WRF) held in the city, protesters demanded the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).
WRF projects director Gertrude Tadya said freedom of expression must be a guaranteed right.
Media freedom should take the needs of the citizens and should recognize the right to freedom expression and association of the Zimbabwean women, she said.
We should be able to express opinions without fear. Women should have the freedom of print, electronic and artistic media.
The government has an obligation to guarantee these fully and encourage an environment that limits control and censorship, Tadya said.
Media houses before being awarded a license must show beyond doubt, a commitment to engage women in information dissemination by having sound gender policies, she said.
Tadya proposed media production houses have a stipulated quota of women-related issues to cover, over a period, or an issue to ensure past imbalances addressed.
The Zimbabwe media commission should play the monitoring role on this issue, she added.
Tadya said gender training should be introduced at all journalism schools to ensure reporters are not gender blind in their reporting.
Government should invest in community media, to allow for the decentralization of information dissemination and as a key development tool, which will enable women to participate fully in their communities and nation, she said.
Hate language, no matter its origins or source, must not be used in the public media.
Post published in: News