News / National
Mushohwe stresses need for responsible journalism
30 Apr 2016 at 20:35hrs | Views
INFORMATION, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe yesterday emphasised the need for journalists to report responsibly saying the media has the power to turn around the economy.
Minister Mushohwe was addressing journalists at a cocktail organised by his ministry at a local hotel in Bulawayo last night.
He said the media through its reports had the power to influence investors from all over the world to invest or not to invest in the country.
"It's within our power to make sure that Zimbabwe's economic fortunes are turned around. Yes others can contribute towards that but our sector has a major role to play in reviving our economy because we're the sector that can tell the world out there that there are opportunities for investment in Zimbabwe.
"We're the sector that can tell the investors that if they invest in Zimbabwe their investment is secure and we're the sector that can generate that confidence. But we're also the sector that can destroy that confidence. Destroying that confidence means destroying our own businesses because if potential investors are scared by what we tell them and they don't invest in Zimbabwe it means no jobs and also no disposable income," said Minister Mushohwe.
He said he was passionate about the growth of the media sector and urged media organisations to work closely with his ministry.
The Minister said there was a need to share ideas in order to achieve a common objective.
"Let's not be agents of destruction. We need to work together to rebuild this country. We're a key and strategic sector which can make or break the nation. It's in our interest not to break but to make this nation better. If we break then we're destroying ourselves.
"I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't write about bad things if they're happening. We must always remember that Zimbabwe is the only country that we can claim in heaven and on earth to be ours.
''We can be accepted elsewhere for the contributions that we could make but this is the only piece of the earth that we can legitimately, proudly and confidently say it's ours," said Minister Mushohwe.
He said if investors are given the impression that their investments are not safe in Zimbabwe, it is the people of Zimbabwe that suffer the consequences.
"If investors lose confidence, we'll begin to witness closure of companies and this means loss of jobs and loss of income. It also means loss of the market share for us because it's those people who're employed who will be able to buy our products as the media.
"We've the power to ensure that people out there see Zimbabwe as an investment destination of choice through our reporting," he said.
Minister Mushohwe said once investors are attracted to Zimbabwe, the media industry can also survive.
"I want those who invested their money into this industry to get returns for investment," he said.
Minister Mushohwe was addressing journalists at a cocktail organised by his ministry at a local hotel in Bulawayo last night.
He said the media through its reports had the power to influence investors from all over the world to invest or not to invest in the country.
"It's within our power to make sure that Zimbabwe's economic fortunes are turned around. Yes others can contribute towards that but our sector has a major role to play in reviving our economy because we're the sector that can tell the world out there that there are opportunities for investment in Zimbabwe.
"We're the sector that can tell the investors that if they invest in Zimbabwe their investment is secure and we're the sector that can generate that confidence. But we're also the sector that can destroy that confidence. Destroying that confidence means destroying our own businesses because if potential investors are scared by what we tell them and they don't invest in Zimbabwe it means no jobs and also no disposable income," said Minister Mushohwe.
He said he was passionate about the growth of the media sector and urged media organisations to work closely with his ministry.
The Minister said there was a need to share ideas in order to achieve a common objective.
"I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't write about bad things if they're happening. We must always remember that Zimbabwe is the only country that we can claim in heaven and on earth to be ours.
''We can be accepted elsewhere for the contributions that we could make but this is the only piece of the earth that we can legitimately, proudly and confidently say it's ours," said Minister Mushohwe.
He said if investors are given the impression that their investments are not safe in Zimbabwe, it is the people of Zimbabwe that suffer the consequences.
"If investors lose confidence, we'll begin to witness closure of companies and this means loss of jobs and loss of income. It also means loss of the market share for us because it's those people who're employed who will be able to buy our products as the media.
"We've the power to ensure that people out there see Zimbabwe as an investment destination of choice through our reporting," he said.
Minister Mushohwe said once investors are attracted to Zimbabwe, the media industry can also survive.
"I want those who invested their money into this industry to get returns for investment," he said.
Source - chronicle
