constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Sep 2013, 21:48 PART 5 ZIMBABWE MEDIA COMMISSION 248 Establishment and composition of Zimbabwe Media Commission (1) There is a commission to be known as the Zimbabwe Media Commission consisting of-(a) a chairperson appointed by the President after consultation with the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders; and (b) eight other members appointed by the President from a list of not fewer than twelve nominees submitted by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. (2) Members of the Zimbabwe Media Commission must be chosen for their integrity and their competence in administration and their knowledge and understanding of human rights issues and the best practices in media matters. 249 Functions of Zimbabwe Media Commission (1) The Zimbabwe Media Commission has the following functions-(a) to uphold, promote and develop freedom of the media; (b) to promote and enforce good practices and ethics in the media; (c) to monitor broadcasting in the public interest and, in particular, to ensure fairness and diversity of views broadly representing Zimbabwean society; (d) to encourage the formulation of codes of conduct for persons employed in the media and, where no such code exists, to formulate and enforce one; (e) to receive and consider complaints from the public and, where appropriate, to take action against journalists and other persons employed in the media or broadcasting who are found to have breached any law or any code of conduct applicable to them; (f) to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe have fair and wide access to information; (g) to encourage the use and development of all the officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe; (h) to encourage the adoption of new technology in the media and in the dissemination of information; (i) to promote fair competition and diversity in the media; and (j) to conduct research into issues relating to freedom of the press and of expression, and in that regard to promote reforms in the law. (2) An Act of Parliament may confer power on the Zimbabwe Media Commission to-(a) conduct investigations and inquiries into. (i) any conduct or circumstance that appears to threaten the freedom of the media; and (ii) the conduct of the media; and (b) take or recommend disciplinary action against media practitioners who are found to have breached any law or any code of conduct applicable to them. (3) An Act of Parliament may provide for the regulation of the media. Zimbabwe 2013 Page 104