By Bernard Mutambudzi
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana has revealed that the Government has no desire to control the media.
The new dispensation’s mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ blossoms in an environment where media conducts its business on autonomous basis and therefore the government has no intention to control the media.
Sometime last year, Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo while acting as information minister, said media repression witnessed under former President Robert Mugabe’s administration was a thing of the past in President Mnangagwa’s reign.
He said media polarization, which has been the trademark of our media discourse, has no room in Zimbabwe under the new political dispensation, which enjoins all Zimbabweans to work together focusing on developing our economy
“The dictum, ‘iwe neni tine basa (you and I have a job to do)’ is a refrain, which should remind all of us in the media that we have a role to play in shaping the destiny of our country,” said Cde Moyo.
He said that Government was ready to give assistance and support to the media to ensure that they carry out their work unimpeded in a peaceful working environment.
“After all, media freedom, access to information and free expression are guaranteed by our Constitution,” he said.
“Let bygones be bygones; President Mnangagwa has said on many public fora and this message applies equally to the communications sector, which should embrace a new media ethos that focuses on supporting the country’s economic development efforts,” he said.
Under Mugabe’s rule, the media were under siege due to repressive media laws, top among them, the Public Order and Security Act and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The laws resulted in several journalists being assaulted, arrested and intimidated.
Yesterday, Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) chairman, Trevor Ncube pledged to play a critical role to ensure that the media is objective and works towards a positive goal for the benefit of everyone.
Ncube also made a passionate plea for unity urging citizens to do away with polarization and work towards a common goal that will see Zimbabwe flourish again.
