The Zimbabwe Guardian
By Dyke Sithole
Sunday, 04 May 2008
THE newly elected MDC Senator for Khumalo constituency, David Coltart says there is need for the transformation of both the public and private media into critical and analytical institutions of the government of the day and opposition political parties.
Addressing journalists in Bulawayo during the eve of this year’s world Press Freedom celebration, Coltart said the MDC if elected into power during the forthcoming presidential run–offs will allow the public media to criticize its shortcomings.
“If the MDC forms the next government, we will create enabling conditions for the independence of both the public and private media. Allowing the media to be in the hands of government or the ruling party is an unhealthy situation for democracy,†said Coltart who is a lawyer.
Coltart said in the post Mugabe era there is a need for the private media to critically probe opposition parties and the government unlike the present situation where the private media is seen as a mouthpiece for the opposition.
Coltart said the MDC government will push for the amendments of media laws in the country—in view of creating freedom of the press and more players in the industry— which is presently dominated by state controlled media.
The Senator said he strongly believes that foreigners should not be allowed to control the press, but funding of newspapers and radio stations from foreigners should not be restricted.
If elected, Coltart said, the MDC government will put more resources into the training of journalists as well as promote investigative journalism.
Meanwhile the Minister of Information and Publicity Sihkanyiso Ndlovu is expected today to address the journalists on World Press Freedom day.