By Sukoluhle Ndlovu
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has stepped into the unfolding dispute at Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), engaging the media group, affected employees and other media practitioners as the legal action against workers threatens to deepen tensions at one of Zimbabwe’s major media organisations.
In a statement, the commission said it was consulting stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dispute, while stressing that it would remain impartial and respect ongoing legal processes.
The ZMC said its intervention was prompted by concerns over developments that could affect the working environment of journalists and other media practitioners, the sustainability of media institutions and the broader operating environment for the media.
The commission said it was engaging representatives of AMH, relevant employees and media practitioners to understand the issues from all sides and create an opportunity for constructive dialogue.
“The ZMC is therefore mindful of the need to approach the matter with impartiality, respect for due process and sensitivity to the rights and interests of all parties concerned,” the commission said.
It said dialogue could help facilitate a peaceful resolution where appropriate, while ensuring that the independence of media institutions and the rights of media practitioners were protected.
The intervention comes against the backdrop of growing economic and operational pressures on Zimbabwe’s media industry.
According to the ZMC, media organisations are facing pressure on revenues, changing audience consumption patterns, technological disruption, rising operating costs and the need to adapt to new digital business models.
The commission said these challenges were having implications for the sustainability of media institutions as well as the welfare and security of media practitioners.
The ZMC said it was consequently broadening its engagement beyond the AMH dispute by working with media owners, journalists, government, development partners, business and civil society to explore sustainable solutions to media financing and other challenges confronting the industry.
It said the engagements would seek innovative approaches to financing media operations, strengthening business models, supporting professional journalism and helping media organisations adapt to technological change while protecting editorial independence and professional integrity.
The commission said the broader intervention was particularly important because financial and operational pressures could trigger disputes affecting both media organisations and their employees.
However, the ZMC made it clear that its involvement in the AMH matter did not amount to taking sides or interfering with the courts.
“The ZMC reiterates that its engagement on the AMH matter should not be construed as prejudging any legal proceedings or as taking sides with any party,” it said.
The commission said it respected the independence of the courts and the right of all parties to pursue lawful remedies.
The ZMC said it would continue engaging stakeholders and determine what action, if any, was appropriate within its statutory mandate based on the information it receives.
It also called on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise constructive engagement in the interests of AMH, its employees, the journalism profession and the public’s right to access information.
The commission said it would also continue with the wider national conversation on media sustainability, financing and the future of journalism in Zimbabwe.
It said a professionally robust, economically sustainable and technologically responsive media sector was necessary for the industry to fulfil its constitutional role in society.
The ZMC said further communication on the AMH matter would be issued when appropriate.
