News / National
Media should follow ZEC rules during elections, says Manheru
25 Jun 2017 at 14:11hrs | Views
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, George Charamba says during elections the media is governed by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) rules regarding coverage of polls.
Addressing delegates during day two of the Parliamentary Interface conference in Bulawayo this morning, Charamba called for fairness in the media's treatment of political parties, adding that political parties are free to own newspapers.
"Although the print media is free to cover as they wish, once they give space to one political parties, they should give to all," he said.
Charamba however said broadcasting is governed by frequencies which are finite thus there is a limit to who can broadcast.
On the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Charamba the great part of the law focuses on access to information from all public bodies but a lot of time was lost on the issue of registration.
"AIPPA is meant to make information available in the public interest, something which journalists have not exercised," he said.
On the Broadcasting Services Act, he said there is need to review the law, "not because of complaints raised but because of technological developments which should be taken into consideration."
Charamba confirmed that soon his Ministry will call for stakeholders to retreat and examine both AIPPA and the BSA.
Addressing delegates during day two of the Parliamentary Interface conference in Bulawayo this morning, Charamba called for fairness in the media's treatment of political parties, adding that political parties are free to own newspapers.
"Although the print media is free to cover as they wish, once they give space to one political parties, they should give to all," he said.
Charamba however said broadcasting is governed by frequencies which are finite thus there is a limit to who can broadcast.
"AIPPA is meant to make information available in the public interest, something which journalists have not exercised," he said.
On the Broadcasting Services Act, he said there is need to review the law, "not because of complaints raised but because of technological developments which should be taken into consideration."
Charamba confirmed that soon his Ministry will call for stakeholders to retreat and examine both AIPPA and the BSA.
Source - zbc
