News / National
Journalists approach minister for housing stands
31 Jul 2014 at 06:02hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) yesterday held a meeting with Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Supa Mandiwanzira to discuss issues pertaining to working conditions and safety of journalists.
The ZUJ delegation which comprised President Michael Chideme, Secretary General Foster Dongozi, Treasurer Evince Mugumbate and secretariat staff submitted a list of its members that need assistance in acquiring residential stands to the deputy minister.
Deputy Minister Mandiwanzira, a veteran journalist, called for the meeting at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare.
"The Ministry would like to acknowledge the request made by ZUJ at last year's National Journalism and Media Awards (NJAMA) dinner gala for Government to allocate residential stands for journalists at subsidised prices," said Mandiwanzira.
"Having assessed this request, the Ministry would like to confer its full support for this programme as it is in line with government policy."
Mandiwanzira suggested that rather than have stands allocated in one city, it was better to have a countrywide allocation.
"We are aware that not everyone would like a residential stand in Harare or Bulawayo, hence our (Ministry's) request that you should include the journalists preferred areas from across the country," he said.
ZUJ President Michael Chideme applauded the Ministry for supporting the housing for journalists initiative and thanked the ministry for taking time to listen to problems affecting journalists.
"We are very grateful to the Ministry for supporting this initiative, which we believe will go a long way in improving the livelihoods of journalists and media practitioners," said Chideme.
The ZUJ President also addressed other concerns around the safety of journalists, sexual harassment and gender discrimination, the need for training on reporting Climate Change and problems faced by some journalists in the private media to access national events which hindered access to information.
Chideme voiced his concerns around the personal safety of journalists, adding that there was need to come up with gender policies in media organisations to address gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
The deputy Minister said there was need for continued engagement in order to come up with solutions affecting journalists.
The ZUJ delegation which comprised President Michael Chideme, Secretary General Foster Dongozi, Treasurer Evince Mugumbate and secretariat staff submitted a list of its members that need assistance in acquiring residential stands to the deputy minister.
Deputy Minister Mandiwanzira, a veteran journalist, called for the meeting at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare.
"The Ministry would like to acknowledge the request made by ZUJ at last year's National Journalism and Media Awards (NJAMA) dinner gala for Government to allocate residential stands for journalists at subsidised prices," said Mandiwanzira.
"Having assessed this request, the Ministry would like to confer its full support for this programme as it is in line with government policy."
Mandiwanzira suggested that rather than have stands allocated in one city, it was better to have a countrywide allocation.
"We are aware that not everyone would like a residential stand in Harare or Bulawayo, hence our (Ministry's) request that you should include the journalists preferred areas from across the country," he said.
ZUJ President Michael Chideme applauded the Ministry for supporting the housing for journalists initiative and thanked the ministry for taking time to listen to problems affecting journalists.
"We are very grateful to the Ministry for supporting this initiative, which we believe will go a long way in improving the livelihoods of journalists and media practitioners," said Chideme.
The ZUJ President also addressed other concerns around the safety of journalists, sexual harassment and gender discrimination, the need for training on reporting Climate Change and problems faced by some journalists in the private media to access national events which hindered access to information.
Chideme voiced his concerns around the personal safety of journalists, adding that there was need to come up with gender policies in media organisations to address gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
The deputy Minister said there was need for continued engagement in order to come up with solutions affecting journalists.
Source - Byo24News
