The new digitalization era is important to the media fraternity and to the sustainability of the industry, a senior media personnel has said.
By Lovejoy Mutongwizi
Speaking during commemorations to mark World Press Freedom Day held at Machipisa Shopping Center in the Capital, Chris Chivhinge who is the ZBC acting CEO, underscored the need for journalists to take the digital era seriously as it promises to improve both the broadcast and print media.
“The digital era promises to bring more competition in the media industry and this is healthy for the fratenity as it will usher in sustainability.
“Therefore we call upon all journalists both in the print and broadcast to take this opportunity to brace themselves for positive changes that are coming in with digital migration by producing content that will be fit enough for the proposed 12 television channels,” said Chivinge.
He also took time to challenge law enforcements agents, who are in the habit of harassing journalists and said this was a breach of the constitution as journalists have the freedom to do their work. Chivhinge challenged journalists to acquire news using ethical ways which he said is a guarantee to the sustainability of the industry.
Speaking at the same occasion, Richard Chidza, a reporter with Alpha Media Holdings, publishers of the Newsday, the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard , said the media landscape in Zimbabwe remains one of the most difficult to operate in due to stringent laws that curtail freedom of expression.
He also called upon the power bloc to stop interfering in the work of journalists as this violates freedom of press.
Chidza urged journalists to desist from unethical conducts like brown envelop, yellow journalism and other corrupt activities. He said journalists should be factual in reporting and avoid biased reporting as this brings the journalism industry in disrepute.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY IN THE DIGITAL ERA” a befitting theme as Zimbabwe tries to catch up with the rest of the world in digitalizing the media.
Meanwhile Civil society organizations in the country feel there is need for government to overhaul repressive media laws.
“CIZC takes note of the lackadaisical approach by the Zimbabwean government in doing away with restrictive media laws through alignment of old laws with the new constitution adopted in 2013.
“These restrictive laws include the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Broadcasting Services Act, Interception of Communications Act, Official Secrets Act among others,” said Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, a pressure group, adding that restrictive media laws in Zimbabwe have served to block a free press and in the process, taking away citizens’ fundamental right of access to information,” said Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in a statement.
The statement called upon the ruling party elites to respect the important work of journalists in the development of the country and desist from reckless statements that endanger the lives of journalists.
“As political violence continues to flare in the country, we remain concerned over the safety of journalists especially from the private media as they have often been targeted by perpetrators of political violence from the ruling Zanu (PF) party,’’ reads part of the statement.
