Zim mulls introducing new television players
ACTING Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo has said Government is working on introducing new television players in a bid to break the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s monopoly.
ZBC has monopolised the television broadcasting industry for decades.
Addressing delegates at the official launch of the support to the media on governance and electoral matters in Zimbabwe programme in Harare on Thursday, Ambassador Khaya Moyo said opening up the broadcasting sector was an important step in a democracy.
He said media freedom, access to information and free expression were guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The issue of free, fair and credible elections is what every Zimbabwean should aim for,” said Ambassador Khaya Moyo. “Currently, Government through the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services is spearheading the digital broadcasting migration programme which, slowly, but surely on account of limited resources, is gaining traction.
“Very soon we shall be witnessing real positive change in breaking ZBC monopoly over our airwaves as new television players come on board.
“And even before then, as soon as Government acquires set-top boxes, we should begin to roll out digital television services in areas that have proximity to digitalised transmitter sites.”
The launch saw the European Union and Norway releasing about $1 million towards supporting and capacitating the media in the country.
Ambassador Khaya Moyo said Government would support the media THE ruling Zanu-PF has cancelled scheduled district and provincial elections to concentrate its energies towards the preparation for elections, secretary for administration Dr Obert Mpofu said yesterday.
Addressing a constituency feedback meeting at his offices in Bulawayo, Dr Mpofu said the decision to cancel the elections initially set to be held before primary elections, was made during a Zanu-PF Politburo meeting on Wednesday.
Dr Mpofu said the party will meet next Thursday to finalise the selection of the new regalia and drafting of its election manifesto.
“We sat in the Politburo and it was agreed that that when we are preparing for national elections, if you starting holding other forms of elections internally, you run the risk of causing confusion so the district and provincial elections will be held after the national elections,” he said.
“What we are going to have are primary elections and we would like to call upon those vying for posts to wait for direction from the party. We are going to come up with guidelines that will be sent to the provinces.”
Dr Mpofu said Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa is the party’s Presidential candidate. to ensure they did their work without hindrance.
“The hallmark of thriving democracies is the presence of an informed citizenry which participates in the national discourse through free expression,” he said. “The media, a free media for that matter, is a key element of democracy and development.
“There are other challenges that are of concern to the media industry such as the safety of journalists, political polarisation, partisan journalism, publishing falsehoods, and decline in training standards, gender discrimination and reports of rampant corruption in the sector, all of which deserve our attention.”
The European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Philippe van Damme urged the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation to give equal access to all political parties in the country.
He said this should be synonymous with the events of November 18, which signified a new era of openness, tolerance and mutual respect as envisaged by President Mnangagwa.
Zanu-PF cancels district, provincial elections
He said the Politburo also reiterated that it was a crime to demand voter slips from the people.
“Let’s not go around demanding slips from the people. That is illegal. We agreed that those who do that will be arrested.
“We agreed that our people should encourage each other to register as voters and not demand slips, they should instead assist those with challenges in registering,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said Zanu-PF is going to record a historic win in this year’s elections as there is no opposition to talk about.
He said President Mnangagwa has even invited foreign observers to prove to the world that the country will hold free and fair elections.
Dr Mpofu dismissed repeated efforts by Professor Jonathan Moyo to tarnish the Government as an act of cowardice.
“If you are telling the truth then why did you runaway. If you flee and start claiming to be telling the truth from foreign lands then it means you are a coward,” said Dr Mpofu.
Dr Mpofu said President Mnangagwa has been greatly received by the African and International community while local people are happy about the Operation Restore Legacy and the events that led to the ushering in of a new administration.