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Media should shun hate language
MISA-Zimbabwe
February 09, 2009

ZIMBABWE'S public and private media has been urged to shun hate language and work towards promoting national healing as Zimbabwe takes baby steps towards the implementation of an inclusive Government.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of media houses on 6 February 2009 the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee JOMIC) for the month of February Professor Welshman Ncube said the media has an important role to play in reducing the political tension that gripped Zimbabwe over the past 10 years.
JOMIC which is co-chaired by Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC-M on a rotational basis came into being following the signing of the Global Political Agreement in Harare on 15 September 2009 to monitor the implementation of the Agreement by the three respective political parties.

Representatives from Zimpapers, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings and ZimInd (PVT) Ltd, publishers of the Zimbabwe Independent and Standard newspapers attended the meeting.

Prof Ncube of MDC-M said the parties were agreed that the media has not lived to expectations in adapting to the latest developments that should usher in a new political dispensation. "The formation of the inclusive Government is a very difficult job for the parties after the difficult years we have gone through. The parties are trying to reduce political tension, so there is need for the media to work together and build mutual trust to bring national healing across the country," said Prof Ncube.

Under Article 19 of the GPA, the media should among other responsibilities, provide balanced and fair coverage to all parties and refrain from using language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred.

Committee member Nicholas Goche of Zanu PF said the three main political parties were trying to create a new environment of tolerance and respect for divergent views. "We can argue in a more civilised manner, but with respect for each other's different views," he said.

Elton Mangoma of MDC-T said although Zimbabwe was going through a difficult but important transitional period, it was imperative for the nation to share responsibilities and carry the nation forward. "The media have an important role in building the confidence of the nation . . . and improve the world's perception of the country," he said.

Mangoma said JOMIC would also meet with the political parties' leadership so that they tone down their language when addressing party gatherings.

Members of the committee were reportedly also in agreement that the new Government would ensure that all radio stations broadcasting outside the country should cease their illegal operations and register properly under the law.

MISA-Zimbabwe position

MISA-Zimbabwe Chairperson Loughty Dube, however, said the government should first come up with very clear legal parameters on how they planned to free the airwaves to allow the entry of private players into the broadcasting sector. "There should first be clear parameters and timeframes for the issuing of the licenses as opposed to just expecting the radio stations to cease operations without putting into place clear legal frameworks for that eventuality," said Dube.

Dube also urged JOMIC to revisit the issue of the legality of the prohibitive registration and accreditations fees imposed against media houses and journalists both local and foreign wishing to operate in Zimbabwe as gazetted by the government in December 2008.

Foreign media organisations wishing to establish a representative office in Zimbabwe will pay an application fee of US$10 000 and a further US$20 000 and US$2 000 as permission to operate and complementary permit administration fees respectively.

Local journalists working for foreign media organisations will pay US$ 1 000 and US$3 000 as individual application and accreditation fees

Dube noted that the fees were gazetted in the absence of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) which is still to be constituted following the amendments to AIPPA, Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) and Public Order and Security Act (POSA) which were signed into law by President Robert Mugabe on 11 January 2008. The ZMC which is supposed to be the successor statutory media regulatory body to the Media and Information Commission (MIC) is the one that should be tasked with the functions of media regulation, registration of mass media and accrediting of journalists. Members of the ZMC will consist of nine members appointed by the President from a list of persons nominated by the Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.

A Media Monitoring sub-committee of JOMIC has since been established and comprises Oppah Muchinguri (Zanu-PF), Thabita Khumalo (MDC-T) and Frank Chamunorwa (MDC-M)

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