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Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
Stakeholders in the media industry have called for the setting up of a council to represent the interests of both the public and private media.

Speaking at a dinner organised by the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe in Harare on Wednesday evening, parliamentarians and media personnel challenged the media to speak with one voice on issues concerning their well-being.

The dinner was attended by members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media and Broadcasting Services, former South African Press Ombudsman and executive director of the South African Press Council Mr Joe Thloloe and Zimbabwean journalists.

Delegates said the VMCZ’s membership was mainly for private players with no input from the public media.

The delegates differed on the mechanisms of media regulation, with some advocating co-regulation while others preferred self-regulation. Journalist and chairman of the Information Media Panel of Inquiry Geoff Nyarota said it was important to understand why public media was not involved in the VMCZ.

He said there was need for editors to attend such workshops so they could share their experiences than to be represented by their juniors.

He said there was need for an institution where there was a buy-in from both public and private media.

Nyarota suggested co-regulation of the media with the Zimbabwe Media Commission as a junior partner.

Zanu-PF MP for Makonde, Cde Kindness Paradza, said co-regulation would serve the purpose better.

“It would seem this is an exclusively private media thing. If not then why are others not here?” asked Cde Paradza.

Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum chairperson Brian Mangwende pleaded with newly appointed Zimpapers chief executive officer, Mr Pikirayi Deketeke, to ensure that the organisation joined the VMCZ.

Alpha Media Holdings Editor-in-Chief Vincent Kahiya said media regulation was important to ensure accountability on the part of journalists.