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Dawn
of a new era for Zimbabwe's media?
Nyasha
Nyakunu
May 27, 2005
http://www.fingaz.co.zw/fingaz/2005/May/May27/8608.shtml
THE new Minister of
Information and Publicity, Tichaona Jokonya, must have found his in-tray
overflowing with unresolved issues pertaining to Zimbabwe’s media environment
following his appointment in the post-March 2005 parliamentary elections.
Jokonya took charge
of the reins from Professor Jonathan Moyo following the latter’s ignominious
exit from both the ruling ZANU PF and government.
Media practitioners,
journalists, human rights activists and the international community will
obviously be following with keen interest the new minister’s policy decisions
amid the incessant calls for drastic media law reforms.
As he acclamatises
to the new environment following years of service as one of the country’s
top diplomats, the new minister should be wary of Moyo’s shadow which
is is still lurking in the vicinity.
Observers and other
key interest groups will closely be observing whether the new minister
will be a clone of Moyo who took no prisoners in his brutal onslaught
against journalists working for the private press and his perceived enemies
within and without the ZANU PF political realm.
In choosing which
path to follow, Jokonya should be wary of the fact that the contentious
repressive media laws such as the Access to Information and Protection
of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) and Public Order
and Security Act (POSA) which Moyo defended ruthlessly, have somehow contributed
to the country’s socio-economic woes and pariah-nation status.
He should also be mindful of the fact that in defending these laws as
he presided over the country’s media policies, the former minister was
motivated by self-interest as opposed to his feigned patriotic zeal.
Otherwise, how else
does one explain Moyo’s assertions that the Zimbabwe government does not
believe in press freedom.
For a whole professor
to have said this of a government and country which has endorsed regional
and international conventions which espouse and uphold the principles
of free speech and association and the vital role played by an unfettered
media, ranks as one of the former minister’s most costly gaffes.
In that vein, MISA-Zimbabwe
welcomes Jokonya’s pledge towards the establishment of a conducive media
environment and most importantly, his invitation for journalists to make
submissions on the contentious sections of AIPPA which need to be revisited.
Deep soul-searching
as to what Zimbabwe desires in terms of its aspirations and democratic
values, should guide him as he works towards that eventuality. We implore
him to pay due diligence to the fact that every person, given the opportunity,
would choose to live in a democracy.
Zimbabweans are no
exception in that regard.
In tackling these
issues he should listen to the voices of reason and echoes from the past.
He should draw inspiration and resolve from among others, the late ZANU
PF guru, Eddison Zvobgo, who described AIPPA as the "most determined
onslaught on our civil liberties" in his 20 years as a Cabinet minister.
"If the people
of any country want and work for a more transparent and efficient government
and economy," says Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, "then they
must fight for the freedom of those who disseminate information.
"They must fight
for the right to know and the right to tell it like it is."
It is hoped that Jokonya’s reconciliatory overtures will culminate in
the dawn of a new era borne of a reformed media environment which will
enable the media to play its watchdog role without hindrance from anti-democratic
media laws such as AIPPA, POSA and BSA.
*Nyasha Nyakunu
is a research and information officer with MISA-Zimbabwe. E-mail misa@mweb.co.zw
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