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Statement on Annual General Meeting
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
October 01, 2012

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) on Friday, last week held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Harare Club were the chairperson, Mr Alec Muchadehama told the gathering that the VMCZ will continue carrying out its mandate regardless of the establishment of the statutory media council.

Muchadehama said VMCZ has accepted the reality that there will be a dual regulatory system for the media in Zimbabwe, one being voluntary and democratic, the other being statutory and premised on the criminalization of the media and the journalistic profession.

Muchadehama further said the VMCZ's self regulatory framework best promotes media public accountability and ethics and will receive greater public support. He said the continual existence of undemocratic laws impinges on media freedom.

"We are cognisant of the unpredictable political environment that the media has had to operate in. The continued existence of undemocratic laws that impinge on media freedoms has been a consistent scourge upon the ability of the media and journalists to carry out their important work without fear or favor".

"While there has been the liberalisation of the print and electronic media through the licensing of new media houses, there is still vast room for improvement in the entire industry", said Muchadhama.

On another note VMCZ welcomed on board Reyhana Masters as a VMCZ Board member. Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (ZINEF) president, Mr Brian Mangwende was also appointed by the ZINEF into the VMCZ Board to replace Davison Maruziva.

Members that attended the AGM were drawn from Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kwekwe, Gwanda, Chinhoyi, Mutare, Hwange and Victoria Falls. The VMCZ financial and constitutional amendments were approved by the AGM.

Visit the VMCZ fact sheet

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