Zimbabwe Information, Media Inquiry Panel Starts Work

WASHINGTON DC —  The newly-established Information and Media Panel of Inquiry started its work Monday with outreach meetings in Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Manicaland provinces where ordinary people and practitioners gave their views on the state of the country’s media.

The panel, led by veteran journalist Geoff Nyarota, is expected to gather information on issues affecting the media. This includes funding, access, ownership and media law reforms, among others.

The 25-member committee was launched in December last year by Information and Media Minister Jonathan Moyo to inquire and assess the operations of Zimbabwe’s media industry.

The panel’s seven thematic committees will lead outreach efforts across the country.
Other panel members include deputy chairperson Thembela Khumalo, journalists Pikirai Dekete, Chris Chivhinge and Foster Dongozi, Nhamo Mhiripiri, and singer Plaxedes Wenyika.

Nyarota told Studio 7 his panel was in Marondera and Rusape for its first outreach meetings and will Tuesday be in Mutare. The outreach ends June 12^th.

MISA-Zimbabwe advocacy officer Tabani Moyo says the media watchdog group is cautiously welcoming the panel since there were worries due to its delay to launch its operations.

Interview With Tabani Moyo