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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

A CALL has been made for the revival of the media fund to facilitate research and media development in the country.

Speaking during a workshop organised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information and Media here on Wednesday, media expert Dr Tafataona Mahoso said various stakeholders had called for the revival of the media fund during public hearings on the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Bill countrywide.

“There is a proposal for the revival of a media fund to go towards among other things, funding research because UNESCO no longer finances research and training in the country’s colleges. The issue of a media fund emerged at public hearings that we need to retain it and stakeholders are happy with the idea of it being re-enacted as this is part of the development role of the commission,” said Dr Mahoso.

He said the fund was used to assist media training institutions namely National University of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, University of Zimbabwe and Christian College of Southern Africa.

“We feel this fund is going to help students at training institutions and also go towards media related research at relevant institutions. We are envisaging a ZMC which is a development agency in the context of devolution,” added Dr Mahoso.

He did not shed light on when the fund was stopped.

Prominent lawyer Mr Rodgers Matsikidze said there is a need for a media law that protects practitioners and their organisations from being muzzled or sued unnecessarily for defamation or criminal injuria — unlawfully, intentionally and seriously impairing the dignity of another person.

The workshop, which was attended by media experts, legal experts and other development partners, was organised to iron out some “sticky issues” as the committee chaired by MDC Alliance National Assembly member Mr Prince Dubeko Sibanda concludes its countrywide consultations.

Mr Sibanda said the committee is satisfied with contributions recorded countrywide towards crafting of a new media law. — @ncubeleon