By Christopher Makaza

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa has urged the media fraternity to be highly professional and accessible in conducting their daily duties, adding that Government is in the process of making new media laws to promote citizens` rights in accessing information.

Addressing journalists at a media stakeholders’ conference in Harare today, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government would soon end ZBC monopoly in the television broadcast sector.

“Media should be professional, accountable and maintain high standards of journalism. It should also be accessible to all persons irrespective of political views, gender or age.

“We are already at an advanced stage in completing our internal consultations of the Amendment Bills and soon we will be inviting stakeholders, in building consensus on new media laws that will promote citizens’ rights to access information and free expression,” she said.

"Sooner rather than later, we will break the monopoly of the ZBC, particularly in the television broadcast sector as the digitisation program gathers momentum,” she added.

Minister Mutsvangwa said key performance areas for her Ministry included review of laws such as AIPPA and Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), work on technical and policy modalities for the licensing of community radio stations.