Editor, I have closely followed debates regarding the shift of media regulation from Government to self Regulation. Various stakeholders have hailed the move while others have raised concerns, for instance, as to whether it is the right timing or about the availability of sufficient numbers of professional journalists with skills and experience to carry out their work with due diligence and competence.
Editor,
I have closely followed debates regarding the shift of media regulation from Government to self Regulation.
Various stakeholders have hailed the move while others have raised concerns, for instance, as to whether it is the right timing or about the availability of sufficient numbers of professional journalists with skills and experience to carry out their work with due diligence and competence.
The matter is so critical given the ability of the media to influence the public. The 1994 Genocide against Tutsi is an example of what the media are capable of, once misused and the reverse is true.
I feel obliged to add my voice to this debate. All factors considered, my greatest conviction is that concerted measures should be taken to develop and nurture the "maturity” of the consumers of the media products to equip us to such a point that we can ably discern truth from half truth rather than simply taking anything reported as a rule of thumb.
Once the media are used properly, they can greatly contribute to national development.
Richard Mushabe