Information and Media Panel of Inquiry

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IMPI chairperson, Geoff Nyarota

The Information and Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI) is a 25-member that is mandated to inquire and assess the operations of Zimbabwe’s media industry.[1] Launched by Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo in December 2013, the panel, is to carry oureach programmes and gathering the views of the peple on the current media landscape. The panel is chaired by veteran an internationally acclaimed journalist, Geoffrey Nyarota. The panel started its national wide tour on the 14th of April 2014, in Marondera and Rusape. The outreach programmes involve public meetings, interviews and general discussions with media and information stakeholders and members of the public on various issues concerning the media.[2]

Mandate

  • To inquire into and gauge the level of investment in the sector
  • To assess the state, scope, arrangements and efficiencies of the information industry, including attendant constraints and shortcomings.
  • To inquire into the values, ethics and standards of the media sector
  • To assess current compliance and mechanisms of compliance enforcement
  • To gauge the adequacy of protection of media freedoms and other freedoms guaranteed in the constitution

Members

The panel consists of 28 members mainly senior journalists and experts from other professions. These includes:

  1. Geoff Nyarota
  2. Justice Dhliwayo
  3. Pikirayi Deketeke
  4. Chris Chivinge
  5. Vincent Kahiya
  6. Foster Dongozi
  7. Peter Banga
  8. Thembe Khumalo
  9. Chris Chinaka
  10. Dumisani Mleya
  11. Nhamo Mhiripiri (media Lecturer)
  12. Plaxedes Wenyika (musician)

Disruptions

The frist outreach meeting failed to take place in Rusape due to clashes between Nyarota and a resident Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) official. Zanu-PF secretary for labour and production in Manicaland province, Cde Nathan Mhiripiri disrupted saying he had not been officially informed about it. He went further to protest the inclusion Nyarota, in the panel, saying he would use the forum to further MDC-T interests since he contested and lost a parliamentary race in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections on an MDC-T ticket.[3] The meeting failed to progress as Mhiripiri, told those who attended to go back home.

Criticisms

In March the Media Institute of Southern Africa MISA Zimbabwe raised concern on the silence on the part of IMPI as to what is happening three months after the panel's appointment. MISA argued that the silence reduces IMPI’s accountability to its respective constituents and it does not inspire public confidence in the delivery of its mandate. Furthermore, MISA said the silence also triggers and breeds fertile ground for speculations and conspiracies that threatens IMIPI's genuinely.[4] Un their Chinhoyi meeting in May, the panel warned against using information it is gathering from members of the public to fulfil its selfish interests which would not improve the medi landscape for the better.[5]

References

  1. Media enquiry panel launched, 'Herald', Published: 21 dec 2013, Retrieved: 28 May 2014
  2. Media panel on nationwide tour, 'NewsDay', Published: 15 April 2014, Retrieved: 28 May 2014
  3. Lloyd Gumbo, Media outreach disrupted in Rusape, 'Herald', Published: 15 Apr 2014, Retrieved; 28 May 2014
  4. Zimbabwe: MISA Zimbabwe calls Information and Media Panel of Inquiry to action, MISA, Retrieved: 28 May 2014
  5. Don’t usurp our views, media panel told, 'Herald', Published: 28 May 2014, Retrieved: 28 May 2014

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