Zim to have new media commission

The MIC has continued to function, demanding that journalists accredit with it even after it was abolished by constitutional amendments that created provision for the creation of the ZMC to replace it.

Last week, the High Court in Harare said the MIC had no right to demand the accreditation of journalists after it was challenged by four freelance journalists who were barred from covering the COMESA summit without accreditation.

In a bid to push the new process and sideline MIC, parliament's standing rules and orders committee said it was now seeking people interested in being appointed to the ZMC, which it said would be created to uphold and develop freedom of the press, enforce good ethics and ensure “that people of Zimbabwe have equitable and wide access to information”.

The ZMC would also ensure equitable use and development of all indigenous languages.

“Men and women appointed to the Zimbabwe Media Commission must be chosen for their knowledge of and experience in the press, print or electronic media or broadcasting,” said the committee.