Govt in drive to review media laws, approves addit...

Govt in drive to review media laws, approves additional amendments

**Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere**

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere yesterday confirmed the approval of additional amendment principles of media laws that include the Zimbabwe Media Commission Amendment Bill, the Media Practitioners’ Bill and the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act, as government seeks to establish control over media ownership patterns, and conduct of media practitioners.

The laws under review will provide for a structured and standardised training in the profession, establishment of a Media Council of Zimbabwe, create limited terms of service for ZMC commissioners and broaden revenue gaps for State broadcaster, ZBC, through the introduction of annual applications for broadcasting frequency.

The development emerged through minister Muswere’s presentation at the post-Cabinet briefing meeting in Harare on Tuesday, where he reiterated that under the Zimbabwe Media Commission Amendment Bill, which is an amendment of the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act ( chapter 10:35), provisions are set to entrench professionalism among practitioners through standardised training, expanding the definition of a practitioner, establishment of a Media Council of Zimbabwe to regulate the media as well as provide for tenure of office for commissioners.

“The national is advised that the additional amendments to the Act will ensure that all identified gaps are covered. The amendments will also standardise training in journalism and mass communication thereby entrenching professionalism.

“Furthermore, 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. 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,” said Dr. Muswere.

Minister Muswere also noted that additional principles of the Media Practitioners’ Bill seeks to provide independence and co-regulation of the media through legalised parameters provided as per the Constitution of the land.

They also provide for the establishment of a Zimbabwe Media Practitioners Council responsible for regulating and enforcing professional conduct of practitioners.

“The Bill will professionalise media practitioners and define media practitioners, and will allow the Independence and co-regulation of the media practitioners. It will also allow the growth and development of the media industry.

“The nation is advised that 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. The Media Council will use delegated power from the Zimbabwe Media Commission to discipline its members. The Media Practitioners Council 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 and academic institutions,” he said.

According to the minister, Amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06), are meant to establish a number of provisions that include annual applications for broadcasting frequency licences, prohibition of sale of motor vehicle registration licence without a current radio licence, among others.

“The additional amendments will, among other provisions, provide for the following: ensuring gender balance in the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board; introduction of annual applications for broadcasting frequency spectrum licences; broadening and introducing new definitions under Section 38A; and prohibition of 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 added.