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Parliamentarians move motion for the urgent need to reform the media
MISA-Zimbabwe
June 17, 2009

In the government publication on the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Assembly published on 16 June 2009, Honourable Members of Parliament S Chikwinya and Douglas Mwonzora have moved a motion for government to urgently address the matter of media reform as contemplated in Article 19 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

The two members of parliament expressed concern over the slow progress that has been made towards achieving media plurality and diversity as well as disturbance by the Executive's failure to bring before parliament amendments to legislation that curtails media freedom.

Mwonzora and Chikwinya also note the continued bias and lack of paradigm shift in the public media, citing in particular the Herald and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), as well as their alarm towards "the Minister of Information and Publicity's brazen and unbridled contempt of a High court ruling that declared the Media and Information Commission (MIC) illegal."

Further, the Parliamentarians noted that they were also disturbed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe's (BAZ) failure to grant broadcasting licenses to other private players in line with the provisions of the GPA. Concern was also expressed by the slow pace in constituting the Zimbabwe Media Commission, whereafter, the duo moved the motion that;

(i) The minister of Media and Information and Publicity constitute the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board (BAZ) which should immediately start granting licences to other media players by the 6th of August 2009.

(ii) The Executive bring before Parliament amendments to repeal all pieces of legislation that curtail media freedom

(iii) The public media, particularly the Herald and ZBC provide balanced and fair coverage to all parties in line with Article 19(d) and (e) of the GPA.

(iv) The Minister of Media, Information and Publicity respect the rule of law and abide by the High Court ruling that nullified the existence of the MIC.

(v) The constituting of the ZMC be brought to finality and closure by the 15th of July 2009, and

(vi) Parliament commits itself to supporting a constitution that guarantees media freedom.

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