(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwe’s draft Constitution, which was recently unveiled by a government-appointed commission, includes a section calling for the creation of a media commission with powers to take disciplinary action against media workers “who are found to have breached any law or code of conduct applicable to them”. Clause 213 of the Draft Constitution states […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwe’s draft Constitution, which was recently unveiled by a government-appointed commission, includes a section calling for the creation of a media commission with powers to take disciplinary action against media workers “who are found to have breached any law or code of conduct applicable to them”.
Clause 213 of the Draft Constitution states that:
An Act of Parliament must establish a Media Commission to exercise the following functions:
a. To uphold and develop freedom of the press;
b. To promote and enforce good practice and ethics in the press, news media and broadcasting;
Clause 214 states:
An Act of Parliament may confer powers on the Media Commission, including power:
a. To conduct investigations and inquiries into:
i. Any conduct or circumstances that appears to threaten freedom of the press; and,
ii. The conduct of the press, news media and broadcasting; and,
b. To take disciplinary action against journalists and other persons employed in the press, news media or broadcasting who are found to have breached any law or any code of conduct applicable to them.
The Draft Constitution has already been presented to the president. However, it must first go through a referendum before it can be approved.
Background Information
The Media Commission clause in the draft Constitution is in line with moves over the past year by Zimbabwean legislators to introduce more laws affecting the media in that country.
In September 1999, the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunications announced that it had completed working on an information and mass media policy framework that sought to regulate the operations of the media in Zimbabwe (see IFEX alert of 10 September 1999).
While this policy framework has not yet been made public, it is believed to cover issues of media ownership in Zimbabwe, professional and ethical issues in journalism, the media and the law, access to information and the setting up of a statutory media council.
