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Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Mr George Charamba yesterday met Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-Zimbabwe) executive members where several issues affecting the media industry were discussed.

In an interview last night, Mr Charamba said some of the issues discussed included the implications of the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry report, standardisation of media training, regulation of the industry, among other issues.

He said the meeting followed a long standing request by Misa–Zimbabwe which the ministry could not honour because of other commitments and mutual mistrust.

“Happily, that meeting took place. It was one meeting which showed that neither side had horns but we were perfectly humans capable of interacting in a civilised manner,” said Mr Charamba.

On the IMPI report, Mr Charamba said they looked at how it could be made available to various interest groups before its adoption by Government.

“We also looked at professional and ethical standards in the media industry and lapses which we must all be concerned about. We looked at the standardisation of training more importantly on how to harmonise the laws in light of the IMPI report. It was a candid and lively exchange,” he said.

Issues of a voluntary media council came up with particular focus on stakeholders such as media industry, Government and the society at large.

He said they discussed ways to avoid conflicts and resorting to the expensive root of litigation when there were other cheaper ways of settling disputes.

Mr Charamba said both parties were agreed that all these issues must be discussed in the context of the IMPI report.

In a statement, Misa-Zimbabwe spokesperson Mr Nyasha Nyakunu said their discussion centred on the state of the media and professionalism.

“The meeting also emphasised the need for continuous engagement on pertinent issues that can assist in developing and professionalising the media industry in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Nyakunu.