Media implored to operate within its confines
Story by Oleen Ndori
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere has implored the media to operate within its confines and to desist from providing platforms that promote defamatory or inflammatory utterances.
“As we continue to enjoy the democratic dispensation dividends, we should always ensure that each and every citizen of our country adheres to constitutionalism. For the media sector, and in particular Section 61 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which focuses primarily on the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media, the Government of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, has put in place a number of policy and legislative interventions in order to support the robustness, the diversity and media plurality of the industry,” Dr Muswere said.
“The Freedom of Information Act, the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act and amendments that are currently taking place in the Parliament of Zimbabwe in terms of the Broadcasting Services Act and many other structural instruments in order to ensure that the supremacy of the people continues today and that democratic structures and a democratic government in terms of delivery continues to be supported through democratic processes.
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In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the freedom of expression is guaranteed, but the freedom to violate other people’s rights is not part of the constitutional process. Of late, we’ve identified a number of media institutions that have been providing a platform for treason, a platform for defamatory, insightful, and inflammatory statements that seek to undermine the democratic constitutionalism of our country. In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the people’s supremacy continues to reign.”
The Minister noted that after romping to victory in the August 2023 plebiscite, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has implemented several life-changing projects aimed at propelling the country to an upper middle-income society by 2030.
“In terms of the leadership that has been provided by His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa who has been democratically elected both in Zimbabwe as a political party and in August 2023 by the overwhelming majority of the people of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President continues to roll out democratic inclusive programmes and projects now numbering more than 8 000 programmes and projects delivered under his leadership.
“All this is increasing the confidence and support in terms of the popularity of the government of Zimbabwe and the ruling party ZANU PF to an extent that if we were to hold any plebiscite or referendum it would be a foregone conclusion as ZANU PF, the government of Zimbabwe and under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Dr Mnangagwa, will romp to victory. It will be a landslide victory.
“At the same time, there is oneness, unity of purpose, and true comradeship in the Presidium. There is no noise in the cockpit, and as a new dispensation, it will continue to democratically and economically roll out many projects in order to empower the people of Zimbabwe.”
Minister Muswere also expressed gratitude to the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for her life-changing philanthropic works.
“We remain resolute, confident and appreciative in terms of the great work that the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa, has done for the people of Zimbabwe and we will continue to support all initiatives as she rolls out poverty alleviation programmes, health initiatives and other cultural initiatives in order to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind.
“Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, has done a lot of great work with her partners. We have worked together with the Angel of Hope Foundation in order to alleviate poverty in many districts in our country. The initiatives also include partnership investment in the health facilities, equipment, and services across all districts of our country.”
Under the Second Republic, the government has introduced various developmental policies, key among them the National Development Strategy One, which is pushing for economic growth and transformation of livelihoods from several fronts.
