Harare (New Ziana) – The government is keen to protect media freedoms as it holds freedom of expression as sacrosanct, a senior cabinet minister has said.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this at belated commemorations of World Press Freedom Day at Harare Polytechnic.
World Press Freedom Day, observed every 3rd of May, seeks to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom, and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
Mutsvangwa said this year’s theme for the commemorations: ‘Access to information and freedom of expression as drivers for all other human rights’ was appropriate as it re-centres information and freedom of expression as indispensable variables in the realisation and upholding of human rights.
She said of note was the government’s repealing of aggressive media laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), replacing it with the friendlier legislation.
“The Second Republic observes the freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Constitution of Zimbabwe Section 61,” Mutsvangwa said,
“We are aware that as Zimbabwe it is our responsibility to reassert the importance of the media in upholding other human rights, as they serve as watchdogs, exposing social, economic inequalities and violations of human rights through accurate, ethical and balanced reporting.
“It is a fact that Zimbabwe is now providing leadership in the region on how to build effective media coalitions between Government, Civic Society and different political players in media reforms advocacy.”
She said it was public record that the Second Republic in less than four years had so far licenced 14 community radio stations in keeping with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
“Of these, 6 are now on air, with the remaining at various stages of development. We have also licenced six free to air television stations. These new players have full editorial independence, they decide their programming, their own content style and recruitment policies. “This is testimony that your government is committed to increasing media plurality and diversity of voices,” Mutsvangwa said.
She commended Harare Polytechnic for maintaining high standards in producing journalists who have excelled in the media field in the country and abroad.
New Ziana
