Masvingo holds successful belated world press freedom day

By Tafara Mutsigiri

Masvingo province held a successful belated world press freedom day at Charles Austin’s on the 7^th of May 2015, under the theme reform media laws for sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights, Martin Mureri said it is good that journalists gather to celebrate press freedom with their fellows across the globe though he noted that there is great need for the country to reform its repressive and draconic media governing laws as AIPPA and POSA.

“It is wonderful that as journalists you have gathered along with your fellows to celebrate this day across the globe. There is however need to unpack freedom of media in Zimbabwe, as it is currently under scrutiny by some of the repressive media laws such as AIPPA, and the most painful thing is that some of these laws were inherited from the colonial error and there have proved to be powerful than the constitution itself.

”The constitution on section 61, guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the media  but this same freedom is being overshadowed by other media laws like the public order and security act (POSA) and this has led to the lack of press freedom. The government should realign the repressive laws to suit the constitution,” said Mureri.

Addressing gathered journalists, gathered media organizations and Great Zimbabwe University Media student, Masvingo senator Marava further illustrated the importance of media practioners and the need for government to build a mutual relationship with the media.

“Journalists are very important because without them they will be no information flow in the country and they is also need to consider the relationship between the government and the media,” said Marava.