New media body formed

Michael Magoronga
MEDIA practitioners and publishers have formed a new body, the Media Owners Association of Zimbabwe (MOAZ), to cater for the needs and concerns of publishers and media owners across the country.

Zimpapers Chief Executive, Mr Pikirayi Deketeke was appointed chairperson of the newly formed body, that was crafted at a meeting organised by the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) in Harare on Tuesday.

Other members of the executive are Jasper Maphosa, who is the vice chair, Maggie Mzumara, secretary, and committee members Kangai Maukazuva and Susan Makore.

MOAZ is expected to address challenges faced by publishers in the country that have seen standards in the journalism sector across the country falling.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Deketeke said the association is the first step towards addressing the plight of not only publishers but also media practitioners.

” It is high time we own the profession. It is high time that we take the profession to a whole new level, as we own the process and bring back the pride to our composition as publishers,” said Mr Deketeke.

VMCZ Director, Mr Loughty Dube called for deregulation of the media saying it was long overdue.

“The issue is something that came out of various media forums now. It is also in the cabinet principles and in the interministerial committee. Government, through the ministry of information, has also been calling for deregulation. We firmly believe that deregulation is the best and most
democratic principle that ZImbabwe can go for at this time, ” said Mr Dube.