Harare, (New Ziana)-The government is committed to improving access to information for all citizens as this is essential for building trust between the government and its citizens, a senior government official has said.
Addressing media representatives, government officials, parliamentarians, and civic organizations during International Day for Universal Access to Information organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa on Friday, Chief Director in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jonathan Gandari emphasized the critical role of information in fostering transparency and accountability.
International Day for Universal Access to Information is commemorated on September 28 each year and highlights the importance of access to information as a fundamental human right and promotes the role of information in empowering people and communities. Dr Gandari said the government was on the right path, having formulated various laws and policies that enhance access to information, citing the Freedom of Information Act, as an example.
“This is a cornerstone for ensuring that citizens can engage meaningfully with their government. We are actively working to dismantle barriers that have historically hindered the flow of information,” he said.
Addressing the challenges of internet affordability, which remains a significant barrier to access, Dr Gandari said government was making strides to make this more affordable. “We are very much aware of the difficulties many Zimbabweans face in accessing the internet in terms of affordability.
However, we are implementing measures to address these challenges and also improve connectivity across the nation,” he said. In light of the digital age, Dr Gandari also announced government’s plan to develop a Media Information Literacy policy. This initiative, he said, aims to equip citizens with the skills to discern between authentic news and misinformation, particularly in an era where fake news proliferates across social media platforms.
“It is imperative that our populace can differentiate between what is real and what is not. As more and more of our people access (the) internet, they are likely to come across volumes of fake news and this misinformation can harm a nation, so literacy is needed to counter this,” he said.
Dr Gandari urged the media to adopt a more positive narrative about the country in order to foster unity and hope among the people as the role of the media is critical in shaping public perception and building a cohesive society.
New Ziana
