by Zivanai Dhewa
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa, said her Ministry’s mandate was to develop a culture that embraces diverse and plural media views.
Speaking at a press briefing today, Minister Mutsvangwa, said, “As part of our Ministerial mandate, we are obliged to develop a diverse and plural media industry. That means embracing everyone including those who we agree with and those we may not agree with,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa rubbished the polarisation of media, and advanced an embracing attitude.
“This Ministry is not going to have an ‘us versus them’ attitude to private media, but will treat all players as relevant 4th Estate supporting our Mantra of ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ in their different ways”, Minister Mutsvangwa said.
“When we say, Zimbabwe is Open for Business, my ministry is saying Zimbabwe is Open for Media Business. We are therefore opening the media space and the airwaves for Zimbabwe’s plural views to find channels of outlet,” she said.
The minister opened her office doors to private and public media players and welcomed their ideas for national interest.
“The Ministry is going to have an open door policy, as long as your ideas add value to National Interest, everyone will be seen and heard.
“We are going to facilitate a two way communication between the Government of Zimbabwe and the citizenry,” reiterated Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa emphasised on the need to develop standards that make output trusted and genuine, especially in this advent of fake news, print media should be the source of verifiable facts.
Minister Mutsvangwa encouraged the media to do their job without fear of intimidation or harassment.
“Let the media criticise where wrong has happened and let them lead in the celebration of national culture and national achievements. This ministry wants dynamism the promotion of people’s rights as well as national sovereignty,” she said.
She further pledged that her ministry will uphold Government policy on media at all times.
“This Ministry will attend to all media enquiries on Government policy, and we are going to be a responsive communication arm of Government,” concluded Minister Mutsvangwa.
