Journalists set to get stands

Journalists in both the public and private media will soon secure residential stands under a Government programme targeted at improving their welfare, Secretary for Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba told Zimbabwe Union of Journalists representatives at a meeting in Harare recently.

The ministry has since approached the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing over the matter.

Mr Charamba then told The Sunday Mail: "We had a meeting with Zuj where a number of issues were raised; issues to do with the National Journalistic and Media Awards, the Information Media Panel of Inquiry Report and journalists' welfare, relating to making a case for affordable residential stands for our newsmen.

"On welfare, we have a lot of land that is being turned into residential areas, and we would like media personnel to benefit from such initiatives. As a ministry, we are making a case with our counterpart ministry so that we can have affordable residential stands for journalists, Charamba said.

Under this programme, we are looking at benefiting journalists across the country. We want journalists from all media houses, and not just those in Harare, to benefit from the initiative."

Zuj secretary-general Foster Dongozi added: "It is a scheme that will benefit journalists, but not for free, of course."