Zimbabwe today joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day amid concerns that country’s media environment is highly polarised, making it difficult for journalists to act professionally.
Addressing delegates at the commemorations held under the theme “Safe to speak: Securing freedom of expression in all media”, Deputy Minister of Information and Publicity, Murisi Zvizwai, said a repressed media had the potential to destroy the nation.
“A repressed media is potentially destructive to nation building and there is need to let media houses tell it like it is, without fear or favour,” said Zvizwai.
He added that there was need to ensure checks and balances in terms of the regulatory bodies that deal with media organisations and citizens’
complaints.
“There is no separation of responsibility between media houses and the bodies that purport to act as arbitrators between the media and citizens. A lot of ducking and diving is taking place and clearly, this is a mismatch that needs to be rectified,” said Zvizwai.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Acting Chairperson, Michael Chideme, said there was nothing to celebrate regarding the operational environment and conduct of media professionals in Zimbabwe because the media was still restricted, a trend he said negatively affected news content.
He called on law enforcement agents to “stop arresting media practitioners as they execute their duty for the development of the nation.”
“Stop arresting journalists for nothing. This blacklists our country for nothing,” said Chideme.
He lamented the poor remuneration to media professionals, particularly reporters, and called on the responsible authorities to look into the plight of journalists.
He said: “Working in a harsh environment where there is a lot of intimidation and fear, journalists are poorly paid and this is further compromising the profession.”
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations representative, Prince Chikafa, said there was need to recognise the role of the media in Zimbabwe and ensure that media professionals are not criminalised as they do their work.
“As we head towards elections, let the media play its role and give journalists a chance to do their work,” said Chikafa.
Media Alliance of Zimbabwe Co- ordinator, Patience Zirima, said political will is important for a free media.
She said: “There is need to educate especially the forces on issues around human rights and the importance of media freedom because some of the officers just arrest journalists out of ignorance.”
The World Press Freedom commemorations were hosted by ZUJ, Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and the Voluntary Media Council Of Zimbabwe in Harare.
Post published in: News
There is a serious need to lobby for the right to truth and regime change propaganda. The need for journalists to abide by the dsamer laws as us the people.