About ZMC

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Our Mission

Enhancing democracy by facilitating access to information and a diverse, plural and ethical media

Our Vision

Fostering access to information and a professional, national interest-driven media by 2030.

Our Objective

To facilitate the development of an accessible and professional media

Purpose & General mandate

The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) is one of the five Chapter 12 Independent Commissions whose purpose is the entrenchment of a democratic society driven by respect for the Constitution, rule of law, democracy and human rights among other objectives.  The Commission’s major focus is on the promotion and protection of freedom of expression and the media; and the promotion of accountable governance through facilitating public access to information held by public entities for the purposes of transparency, accountability and protection of human rights.

The ZMC plays its critical role in the media and information sector as part of the Chapter 12 Independent Commissions whose major purpose is to contribute towards a democratic Zimbabwe with constitutionalism as a shared value.

 

The ZMC, like other Independent Commissions, is expected to monitor compliance with Constitutional provisions across the public and private sectors, to receive complaints from the public and to take appropriate action where necessary.

Apart from Constitutional provisions, the ZMC is guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) [Chapter 10:33] and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act [Chapter 10:35].  Under the FOIA, the Commission is required to review decisions relating to access to information held by public entities and to rectify any failure to meet prescribed standards.  The Commission receives appeals from members of the public who are denied access to requested information as per the provisions of the law.

 

The ZMC Act also requires the Commission to investigate any action that threatens freedom of the press and of expression.  The Commission can institute inquiries and investigations on any development that threatens the right to free expression and the right of the media as provided by Section 61 of the Constitution.

In line with Statutory Instrument 169C of 2002 and Statutory Instrument 10 of 2004, the Commission registers all mass media services and accredits journalists who choose to be accredited.  The Commission keeps a register of both accredited media practitioners and registered mass media services.

 

Through the ZMC Act the Commission administers the Media Fund whose major purpose is the standardization of mass media services in Zimbabwe.

Functions of the ZMC

Section 249 of the Constitution spells out the functions of the Commission as follows:

  1. To uphold, promote and develop freedom of the media;
  2. To promote and enforce good practices and ethics in the media;
  3. To monitor broadcasting in the public interest and, in particular, to ensure fairness and diversity of views broadly representing the Zimbabwean society;
  4. To encourage the formulation of codes of conduct for persons employed in the media and, where no such code exists, to       formulate and enforce one;
  5. To receive and consider complaints from the public and, where appropriate, to take action against journalists and other     persons employed in the media or broadcasting who are found        to have breached any law or any code of conduct applicable to    them;
  6. To ensure that the people of Zimbabwe have fair and wide access to information;
  7. To encourage the use and development of all the officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe;
  8. To encourage the adoption of new technology in the media and in the dissemination of information;
  9. To promote fair competition and diversity in the media; and
  10. To conduct research into issues relating to freedom of the press and of expression, and in that regard to promote reforms in the law.