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Dual media regulation on the cards — Moyo

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Minister Jonathan Moyo on Thursday revealed in Parliament that the government was amenable to having both voluntary and statutory regulation of the media operating side by side.

MEDIA, Information and Broadcasting Services minister Jonathan Moyo on Thursday revealed in Parliament that the government was amenable to having both voluntary and statutory regulation of the media operating side by side.

Paidamoyo Muzulu

Moyo made the remarks in response to Kuwadzana East MP Nelson Chamisa on why the government was reluctant to have the media self-regulate like other professions such as lawyers, doctors, architects and accountants.

Zimbabwe has since the enactment of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act witnessed some vocal debates within the media fraternity on whether statutory or voluntary regulation was the best was to regulate media.

“The government recognises that both systems can work side by side. We will have statutory regulation as well as voluntary regulation,” Moyo said.

The statutory regulation is done through Zimbabwe Media Commission which also has the role of licensing all media practitioners in the country. On the other hand, privately owned media were generally opposed to statutory regulation and, therefore, were instrumental in forming the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ).

The VMCZ was formed in 2007 and started operating in 2009 with the majority of its members being privately owned media. The council adjudicates on average 35 complaints annually from members of the public against the press.

VMCZ has also been involved in training on media ethics and journalists’ capacity building with all media houses.