Ministry Questioned Over Status Of Media Reforms

MISA-Zimbabwe National Chairperson Loughty Dube has written to the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity Webster Shamu (see attachment) requesting for a response and update on progress towards implementation of envisaged media reforms. Dube's letter comes on the backdrop of submissions made to the Ministry by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) and the recommendations of the media stakeholders conference held in Kariba in May 2009.

"MISA-Zimbabwe is of the well considered view that as a follow up to the Kariba Media Stakeholders Conference, and given the lack of acknowledgement of the written input of those that were unable to attend it, there should be
a mechanism through which your good office can facilitate further debate on various issues about democratic media reform in the country before considering these resolutions final," he said.

Noting that haphazard reforms were inimical to the advancement of freedom of expression, access to information as well as press freedom, he said a review process was therefore of critical importance. This would assist in determining whether the MAZ submissions, Kariba recommendations and the current parliamentary legislative process pertaining to the establishment of the statutory Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe were complementary or contradictory.

The request for a mechanism to dialogue further on the proposed recommendations is made in the spirit and letter of the principle of a consultative follow up on the recommendations before they are considered to be final.

"It is best practice, the world over and especially in democratic societies, that where a policy reform conference has occurred, the final report and recommendation of such said conference, be considered by the relevant
stakeholders. This is in order to maintain the spirit of inclusiveness and participatory decision making in as pragmatic a manner possible," said Dube.

The letter was also copied to the Deputy Minister Jameson Timba, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technologies Gift Chimanikire and the Permanent Secretary for Media Information and Publicity George Charamba.


Reagan Malumo
Programme Officer: Media Freedom Monitoring and Research
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht St
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
Phone: +264 61 232 975
Fax: +264 61 248 016
Mobile: +264 81 311 2626
E mail: reagan@misa.org

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