VMCZ is a professional media self-regulatory body set up in 2007 by Zimbabwean journalists and other stakeholders in civil society who subscribe to the principles of media freedom, accountability, independence, and ethical journalism. VMCZ’s mission is to promote a strong and ethical media with the ability to contribute to building a more democratic and just society within policy and legal environments that facilitate growth and development of independent, pluralistic, and free media. Specific objectives include:
- To safeguard the independence and integrity of the media profession by ensuring effective and professional self-regulation in the print and broadcasting media;
- To promote high ethical and professional journalistic standards;
- To serve as a medium of understanding and education between the public and the media; and
- To monitor media trends, course content, and ethics in media training institutions and to consult and offer advice and support to such institutions.
Communication Strategies
VMCZ’s work is based on the 1991 Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, which says that an “independent, pluralistic and free Press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development”, as well as on the 2002 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, adopted by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which proclaims in Article IX (3) that “effective self regulation is the best system of promoting high standards in the media.”
The VMCZ receives, mediates, and adjudicates complaints by individuals and organisations against the media. VMCZ seeks to form a buffer between the public and the media and to serve as a medium of understanding between the two.
VMCZ offers hands-on training in journalism with the ambition to support balanced, accurate, and impartial reporting. The VMCZ conducts in-house training at several media houses as well as conduct training workshops for the media and the public.
Objectives
- To safeguard the independence and integrity of the media profession by ensuring effective and professional self-regulation in the print and broadcasting media;
- To promote the highest ethical and professional journalistic standards;
- To serve as a medium of understanding and education between the public and the media;
- To monitor media trends, course content and ethics in media training institutions and to consult and offer advice and support to such institutions in furtherance of the aims and objectives.
Mission Statement
To create an environment that promotes a professional and ethical media that contributes towards a more democratic and just society, within policy and legal environments that facilitate growth and development of independent, pluralistic and free media.
Sectors
Democracy/Good Governance; Media
Contact
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ)
Box CY 862
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 (0)4 708035, OR (0)772-125658/9
VMCZ website
info@vmcz.co.zw
administrator@vmcz.co.zw
Board Members: Alec Muchadehama (Chairperson), Rd Justice George Smith, Raphael Khumalo, Rehyana Masters Smith, Tapfuma Machakaire, Mildred Sandi, Chris Chinaka, Edna Machirori, Lenox Mhlanga, Njabulo Ncube, Bishop Sebastian Bakare, Precious Chakasikwa, Davies Guzha.
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