The Sunday Mail
THE media plays an important role in covering elections, and journalists are expected to live up to this role during the plebiscite set for this year. The Sunday Mail’s HARMONY AGERE (HA) spoke to the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) commissioner and the chairperson of the Media and Outreach Committee, Dr Phillip Pasirayi (PP), on the regulator’s expectations on reporting on elections and other issues.
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HA: Can you begin by explaining ZMC’s mandate.
PP: The ZMC is one of the Chapter 12 commissions provided for in the Constitution and charged with overseeing our media sector. The commission derives its mandate from the Constitution, as well as enabling legislation such as the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act of 2020 and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 2021.
ZMC is responsible for regulating the media and facilitating the creation of a conducive environment for growth of the industry while ensuring that ethical and professional standards are maintained.
So, in brief, I would say the commission performs both the regulatory function, as well as facilitating growth of the media industry to achieve a diverse, plural and democratic media in the country.
HA: Can you walk us through the progress made by ZMC in ensuring our media fraternity is democratic enough to report fairly on elections?
PP: When we were appointed by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, in October 2020, we rolled up our sleeves and got down to some serious work. We are very pleased with milestones achieved to date.
At the institutional level, we undertook a skills audit and restructuring exercise soon after assuming office.
We have now appointed a new executive secretary, Mr Godwin Phiri, who is working closely with the Board of Commissioners to achieve targets set in our Annual Strategic Plan.
We have also come up with a new organogram, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, which we think is best suited to take the organisation forward.
There are a number of key positions that we have advertised. We have also come up with and adopted various organisational policies that govern day-to-day operations of the commission.
At the policy level, we have also achieved a number of milestones. For instance, we have come up with the “Freedom of Information Principles and Guidelines” that citizens can use to seek redress when they are denied access to information by a public entity such as a local authority, Government ministry or parastatal.
The commission is holding capacity-building workshops with heads of public entities such as permanent secretaries, chief directors, directors and managers to enlighten them on the Freedom of Information Act and their obligations and responsibilities as public entities under this law.
One of the key achievements was a repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
AIPPA was replaced by the Freedom of Information Act, whose objective is to promote access to information and enhance public accountability.
Under FOIA, citizens are entitled to have access to information held by public entities.
This is a progressive piece of law, which enhances public accountability and empowers citizens to hold duty-bearers accountable.
As the commission, we encourage journalists and citizens at large to make use of this law to scrutinise policies and practices of public entities for the sake of transparency and accountability.
The Second Republic needs to be commended for this progressive law, which enhances public accountability.
Another important achievement is liberalisation of the airwaves and allowing entry of other players in radio and television broadcasting.
The commission has granted operating licences to more than 200 media service organisations in the print sector.
In the broadcasting sector, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has granted broadcast licences to community radio stations, campus radio stations, as well as commercial radio and TV stations.
The prohibitive application fees for broadcast licences have also been done away with, because the idea is to promote investment into the sector, and its growth.
HA: Can you explain the role of the media in the upcoming harmonised elections, and how you are preparing for the polls as a media regulator?
PP: The commission, in consultation with stakeholders, has come up with an elections and peace reporting manual. It is a toolkit to guide journalists on how to report on elections.
ZMC will roll out provincial trainings in Harare, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, Gweru/Kwekwe, Mutare and Masvingo on election reporting, and conflict-sensitive or peace journalism.
These trainings target journalists, with the aim of equipping them with skills on how to report on elections.
The media is powerful; it can either make or break the election. Any journalism that leaves society divided is not good journalism. Peace journalism seeks to build bridges, promote peace and tolerance.
This is important considering that past elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by polarisation, and the media should play its role and act responsibly, and not promote hate, violence and divisions.
The commission has been engaging other stakeholders in the religious and civic spaces on how best the media can assist in the creation of a conducive environment for holding of peaceful and credible elections.
There is much buy-in and support from stakeholders.
HA: How are you collaborating with other statutory bodies such as ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) to ensure the 2023 harmonised elections are free, fair and conflict-free?
PP: The elections are the primary responsibility of ZEC, but we will collaborate with them on issues such as elections reporting, as alluded to above, as well as accreditation of journalists for coverage of the elections.
In the past, ZMC has played an active role in the Elections Media Committee established by ZEC in terms of the law, to be responsible for media monitoring during the election period.
In the 2023 harmonised elections, ZMC will also provide press jackets to all registered journalists for easy identification during election campaigns. The press jackets will assist in the provision of safety of journalists.
ZMC is also working with security agents to ensure journalists get protection when carrying out their duties.
HA: The proliferation of digital news outlets has resulted in fake news and misinformation. How are you dealing with this as a regulator?
PP: This needs to be nipped in the bud but the challenge is that some of the online news sites are not registered with ZMC; they operate clandestinely, under pseudonyms.
This is not something the commission alone is in a position to address. It requires the cooperation of Government and other stakeholders.
The manner in which digital media could be regulated is currently being debated the world over.
In Zimbabwe, the authorities have been consulting on best approaches to regulate this space.
HA: Can we expect more media reforms and establishment of new news outlets in the near future?
PP: Currently, together with our line ministry, we are working on amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act to ensure its provisions are aligned with the Constitution. The commission and the ministry are working on proposed amendments to the ZMC Act.
The purpose of the Bill is to promote professionalism in the media, and to provide a framework for media co-regulation in Zimbabwe.
HA: How would you compare today’s media landscape to the one that existed when our most recent elections were held in 2018?
PP: The first point to make is that the media landscape in the country has hugely improved compared to previous years.
The institutional and policy reforms that have been spearheaded by Government have really assisted in improving the media environment.
To start with, the appointment of the ZMC Board of Commissioners by President Mnangagwa in October 2020 was one such key intervention from a public policy perspective.
The commission had been operating without a Board of Commissioners for almost seven years under the previous administration. This step showed the seriousness with which media matters are treated by the Second Republic.
The appointment of the ZMC Board was in the same framework of media reforms.
The improved media environment can also be attributed to the hard work and efforts of Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa — the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services — and her team at the ministry. She has been excellent in her engagement drive.
The ministry is also working closely with media advocacy groups such as the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe and the Media Institute of Southern Africa on various aspects.
This was unimaginable in the old dispensation. In the same vein, the commission is working with all media stakeholders and pursuing a new progressive politics of engagement and cooperation.
