Media urged to play its part in economic process

The Herald, 28 September 1995

PRIVATISATION and the commercialisation of parastatals are key components of the economic reform programme and for it to succeed, the media should play its part.

Some locals have been angered at the slow pace of the privatisation and commercialisation process, while others have complained that indigenous people have not benefited at all.

Addressing delegates at an Institute of Chartered Secretaries and administration conference in Nyanga at the weekend, the Minister of State in the President’s Office, Mr Cephas Msipa, said it was incumbent upon the media to help investors and workers and management in public enterprises understand the economic objectives of such schemes.

“As we move towards a new era of economic development, we must ensure that we carry the majority of the people with us by guaranteeing that all possible avenues of information transmission and education are fully exploited for every one’s benefit,” he said.

“After all, the public has made substantial investments in the Mass Media Trust, ZBC, Ziana and the value of that investment can only be measured by the positive economic benefits emanating from the success of these bodies in the process of information dissemination and exchange.” Transparency was key to the success of the programme.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ Enhancement of the economy is the Second Republic’s major focus, and it is the media’s role to ensure that all economic-related issues remain talking points that have tangible results.

◆ Governance of parastatals continues to be a major issue, which the media can methodically cover so that people get well-informed on why they should be reformed, and why some schools of thought believe that they are a waste of tax payers’ money.

◆ Parastatals might not be such an attractive topic to report on, but their contribution to economic development cannot be under-estimated, especially when the media turns them into quality reportage. For historical information contact: Zimpapers Knowledge Centre at Herald House on: +263 8677 004323; +263 0242 795771 E-mail: knowledgecentre@zimpapers.co.zw