Harare, (New Ziana) – Cabinet on Tuesday considered and approved the additional Principles to amend the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act to cover identified gaps.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said this during a post Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
He said among other gaps, the amendments will also standardize training in journalism and mass communication thereby entrenching professionalism.
Muswere said the definition of a media practitioner will be expanded, and a Media Council of Zimbabwe established for purposes of regulating the media.
“The additional Principles also cover the ownership of Mass Media Services in the country, tenure of office for Commissioners and the reporting structure.
” Foreign ownership of mass media services in Zimbabwe will be limited in order to promote local content, local business and employment,” he said.
Muswere said Zimbabwe Media Commissioners will serve for a one five-year term, which is renewable once, and the Commission shall report to the Minister as provided for in the Constitution.
He said the additional principles were a result of the several consultative meetings with media stakeholders and Journalists supported the proposed principles.
He revealed that Cabinet also considered and approved the Principles of the Media Practitioners’ Bill, which will allow the Independence and co-regulation of the media practitioners.
“It will also allow the growth and development of the media industry.
The Media Practitioners’ Bill seeks to create a legal framework that outlines parameters for the regulation of the media as provided for in section 249(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“This entails the creation of a Zimbabwe Media Practitioners Council, which will be responsible for the regulation and enforcement of professionalism among all media practitioners,” he said.
The Media Council, Muswere said, will use delegated power from the Zimbabwe Media Commission to discipline its members.
The Media Practitioners Council, he added will also deal with conduct and ethics.
“Media Practitioners/Councillors will be elected and will include nominees from the Editors’ forum, public media institutions, private media institutions,” he said.
Cabinet considered and approved, the Principles for Additional Amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06], which will, among other provisions, provide for ensuring gender balance in the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board, introduce annual applications for broadcasting frequency spectrum licences and broaden and broaden and introduce new definitions under Section 38A.
It will also prohibit the sale of motor vehicle registration licence or motor vehicle insurance cover or policy to a person without a current radio licence or an exemption from ZBC under Section 38B.
“In terms of the amended Act, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation revenue base will be broadened since it will be mandatory for all motorists to have a current radio licence before either disposing their vehicles or on purchasing motor vehicle cover or policy,” he said.
New Ziana
