Wallace Ruzvidzo
Sunday Mail Correspondent
ZIMPAPERS (1980) Limited group chief executive officer Pikirayi Deketeke walked away with the “Distinguished CEO” gong at the Zimbabwe Community News Awards held in Harare on Friday.
It was another major win for the country’s biggest integrated media house.
The prestigious prize was in recognition of his “trailblazing journey” to become head of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed company.
H-Metro editor Robson Sharuko also scooped the “Distinguished Sports Journalist (Print)” award, while Zimpapers design editor Washington Gwanzura won the “Lifetime Achievement” award at the same ceremony.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Kindness Paradza, who was the guest of honour, urged media stakeholders to pursue excellent journalism ethics that improve citizens’ access to information.
“Our hope as Government is that the more media channels we have, the more platforms are created for marketing your brands locally and globally,” he said.
“We all know that, with the advent of the digital era, the practice of journalism has shifted drastically, but its importance has not diminished.
“Moreover, with the rise of social media, anyone can become a journalist. But not everyone practices journalism responsibly.”
Government, said Deputy Minister Paradza, was committed to engaging stakeholders to ensure a conducive and friendly media environment.
“This is not to say, however, that as members of the media, you are immune to the laws governing the country,” he added.
“You have to abide by our national laws for you to enjoy the freedom of the press enshrined in our Constitution.
“Zimbabwe, under the Second Republic, has made the safety of journalists an issue of high priority.
“We do not condone any acts of violence against journalists.”
Deputy Minister Paradza said the Attorney-General was drafting the Media Practitioners Bill following approval of the proposed legislation’s principles by Cabinet.
“We are currently seized with the drafting of the Media Practitioners Draft Bill, which will encompass media governance or regulation, providing for, among other things, a framework for disciplining media practitioners who would have breached a code of conduct applicable to them.
“The Bill will go a long way in democratising the media operating environment,” he said.
