Polarise media: IMPI findings
Loc3

Mr Geoffrey Nyarota

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
THE Information Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI) said  people from the places it has so far visited as part of its outreach programme have emphasised the need to implement media reforms to end polarisation.Speaking to journalists after a public meeting in Masvingo yesterday IMPI chairperson Geoffrey Nyarota said views gathered so far suggest that changes are needed in the media industry.

“The interesting thing with our outreach programme so far is that people are openly saying out their views. The issue that is coming out strongly is media polarisation and people are advocating for media reforms. This programme was initiated by the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Professor Jonathan Moyo after the realisation that there is something awfully wrong with the media in Zimbabwe. He then appointed a team to fix that problem and that is why we are carrying out outreach programmes throughout the country,” said Nyarota.

He said there is a need to look into the kind of training journalists are undergoing as some of the challenges may be emanating from poor training.
Nyarota said after covering all ten provinces, the IMPI committee would compile a report to be presented to the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services.

“We are mandated to provide a report on our findings to the Ministry. We are going to make some recommendations that we think if implemented can reconfigure our media  to become a good profession. We have been given four months to finish this task and I hope we can complete within that period. I am happy that we are getting the support from Minister Moyo and Parliament,” he  said.

Nyarota said there were seven thematic committees set up to cover issues including media as business, information platforms and content of media products, media training capacity building and ethics, media law reform and access to information, employment opportunities and conditions of service of journalists, polarisation, perception and interference as well as gender issues and media advocacy.

IMPI, which comprises 28 members including several senior journalists and experts from other professions, was launched last year by the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services to assess the state of the information and media industry in the country.

Some of the experts include deputy chairperson, Thembe Khumalo and members Dumisani Muleya, Pikirai Deketeke, Chris Chivinge, Foster Dongozi, media lecturer Dr Nhamo Mhiripiri and Plaxedes Wenyika.

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