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Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Cde Supa Mandiwanzira

Herald Reporters
The preliminary forensic audit report on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s operations is ready and will be presented to Cabinet soon, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Supa Mandiwanzira said yesterday.At a belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations in Harare, Deputy Minister Mandiwanzira said the audit would help revamp ZBC. The march by journalists was supposed to have been held on World Freedom Day on May 3, but it was stopped by police for unclear reasons. The commemorations were held under the theme “Media freedom for a better future: Shaping the post-2015 development agenda”.

“Government commissioned a forensic audit and also a turnaround audit for the national broadcaster,” said Deputy Minister Mandiwanzira. “The preliminary report for that audit is expected this week, maybe today, after which the board would be presented with that audit report to use its findings to straighten up things at the national broadcaster to implement the turnaround strategy as would have been advised by the consultancy.”

He said the final audit report could only be implemented by the ZBC board after presentation to Cabinet. The deputy minister said Government was concerned with rampant corruption in media houses.

“We need Press freedom, it’s guaranteed by the Constitution, but when you have this freedom, we want you to be responsible,” said Deputy Minister Mandiwanzira.

“The media plays a critical role in any society and in some cases is called the fourth pillar of the State, therefore, you have such kind of positioning and responsibility.”

He said Government was committed to creating space for media to operate unhindered.

ZUJ president Michael Chideme and secretary-general Foster Dongozi outlined some of the challenges facing journalists such as poor working conditions and sexual harassment at workplaces.

Zimbabwe National Editors Forum secretary-general Barnabas Thondhlana, said media should be allowed to operate freely.