Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister
Monica Mutsvangwa has called on media houses to improve the welfare of
journalists considering the important role they play in disseminating
information to the public.
Addressing journalists after touring Alpha Media Holdings
(AMH) offices in Graniteside in Harare yesterday, Mutsvangwa said she was
concerned about the current welfare of journalists in the country which she
felt was affecting their work.
“The welfare of our journalists needs to be transformed.
There is a saying that if you throw nuts you get monkeys. They need to be well
paid,” she said.
Mutsvangwa said journalists were supposed to be provided
with refresher courses and training to improve their reporting.
She chided journalists for publishing articles that painted
a negative picture of the country and defaming prominent personalities and
politicians.
“I am happy to see you working. This is a very important
job that you are doing. The Constitution calls for dissemination of information
and it is my mandate as a minister to interact with you. I have brought my
permanent secretary (Nick Mangwana) and we are open. If you need anything come
to us. Let us remove them and us attitude. We are all Zimbabweans,” Mutsvangwa
said.
“I am a war veteran; I fought for this country when I was
15 years old. What I fought for is freedom and democracy peace and stability.
One can choose to be Zanu PF or MDC or any other political party. When you are
writing bear in mind that the pen can create a discord in other people’s lives.
It can destroy political leaders. Let us be professional and factual when reporting.”
The minister said licensing of community and commercial
radio stations was at an advanced stage with a new Broadcasting Authority of
Zimbabwe board expected to be appointed next week.
“We are opening up airwaves. We know there is high demand
for radio licenses. The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe will invite
applications soon. We will do it across the board and no one will be favoured
in terms of licenses. They will be awarded in terms of qualifications,”
Mutsvangwa said.
AMH is the biggest private media organisation in the
country and publishes NewsDay, The Standard and Zimbabwe Independent and also
operates Heart & Soul Television. Newsday
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