WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2009-05-18 Time: 22:00:03 Posted By: Jan
Information attaches would be dispatched to South Africa, Malaysia, China, Britain and the US 
Sunday Mail Reporter
The Government is planning to open information centres in five strategic countries and to expand international media coverage of Zimbabwe as it moves to promote the country as a potential investment hub. The initiative ties in with the objectives of last month’s ministerial retreat in Victoria Falls, which are aimed at achieving a quick revival of the country’s economy. The Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity, Cde George Charamba, told the House of Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technology on Thursday last week that his ministry was working on recreating a positive image of Zimbabwe. Although he did not give time-frames for the implementation of the initiative, Cde Charamba said information attaches would be dispatched to South Africa, Malaysia, China, Britain and the US to spearhead the marketing programme.
“The country needs to shed the negative image of the past,” he told the committee, whose objective on the day was to acquaint itself with the ministry’s operations. Under the programme, the information centres will disseminate information on the inclusive Government and Zimbabwe’s various tourist attractions. The ministry’s international communication directorate will superintend the centres’ functions while collaborating with the relevant Government portfolios on areas of common focus. Cde Charamba said the formation of the inclusive Government had opened a window for Zimbabwe to portray a positive image of itself internationally. He said this and the country’s tourist attractions would be at the centre of his ministry’s marketing efforts.
“The negative (image of the country) has been because of the political situation and this has been dealt with through the inclusive Government. If we sort out our image mess back home that will reflect outwardly,” he said. “So this is our foremost point: The fundamental issue is that Zimbabwe has rediscovered itself and that we are working in unison. We are also piggybacking our image via our natural attractions, as this has been identified as critical for the quick turnaround of our economy.” The Secretary added that South Africa was a target market because of its business and investment value. Malaysia and China, which share strong historical ties with Zimbabwe, are centrally placed in the Far East, making them good business partners and springboards to other Asian markets.
“China is an emerging economic giant. In fact, the West is turning East for its economic turnaround. It is therefore important for an information attache to be based in Beijing and other emerging growth points in that country. London (in Britain), whatever the ups and downs of our relations, we need an attache there whether we like it or not. It is a critical market and will also be a springboard for us to reach Paris, Frankfurt and other capitals within range.” Cde Charamba also told the committee, which is chaired by the Member of the House of Assembly for Southerton, Mr Gift Chimanikire, that his ministry was also considering reaching international audiences through digital media. Among such media is satellite television, which would probably require collaboration between Zimbabwe and fellow Southern African countries.
Questioned by committee member and Mutare North Member of the House of Assembly Mr Charles Pemhenayi on the measures that his ministry has put in place to ensure Zimbabwe receives positive international media coverage, he said the international communication directorate was handling this area. He revealed that Government has been engaging the BBC and CNN with a view to securing their coverage in addition to the work that various foreign journalists are already carrying out locally. “Zimbabwe is exposed to the international media, as different foreign journalists have been operating here for some time now. There is, however, a dogged perception that we are an impermissible environment as what is referred to as the international media is the CNN and BBC,” he said. “We would want to remind the CNN that they are not banned from this country. Nothing was given either orally or in writing, stating that they had been banned. It is just that they took a solidarity boycott with the BBC after we had said the latter was representing political interests. We have taken the decision that they must be engaged: Overtures have been made to both media organisations, and the BBC have said they’ll be coming over while the CNN’s coverage would be from South Africa.”
Epworth Member of the House of Assembly Mr Eliah Jembere raised a question on whether the re-detention earlier this month of Zimbabwe Peace Project director and former ZBC TV news presenter Jestina Mukoko and photojournalist Andrison Manyere would not further dent the country’s image. Mukoko and Manyere, who are among a group of MDC activists facing terrorism charges, had been remanded in custody following their indictment for trial on July 4 at the High Court, but were later released on bail. Responding to the question, Cde Charamba said Minister of Media, Information and Publicity Cde Webster Shamu’s hands were tied on the matter as it is still before the courts. He said it has emerged, though, that some individuals are using journalism as a convenient refuge. “I asked for the name of the media house that employs Manyere: I got no answer! I asked for the name of the institution where he trained: Again, I got no answer!” he said. “There is a general misconception that whosoever wields a notebook, pen and camera is a journalist. This makes it seem as though there are no entry requirements (for the profession) when they exist.” He added that Mukoko left journalism for civic society endeavours, yet she was still being identified with the former. “Is it based on historical affiliation or current pursuits?” he queried.
Cde Charamba also seconded Mutare West House representative Mr Shuah Mudiwa’s submission, which called for the public media to balance their coverage of members of the inclusive Government. He said the advent of the Government demanded that the media mirror the ethos of this new dispensation. Although moves are being made in this direction, limited resources, especially in the electronic media, inhibit optimum coverage. “We are aware that the times have changed. This (inclusive Government) is a collaborative effort, comprising three political parties. Hence, the demand on the State media is that they reflect the ethos that is dominant. Interestingly, I am always accosted by the parties over how they are covered. For ZBC, the problem is we have limited cameras and the (main) news bulletin is an hour long.
But certainly, we would need to consider whether there is scope for more bulletins. At the same time we have a broadcaster who wants to find their feet in the new environment; the poor editors are being buffeted by politicians who want their stories aired. And rightly so; if an event were held, one would certainly want it covered. We will keep on improving in order to balance the coverage.” Meanwhile, the ministry is working on setting up information kiosks in rural communities countrywide. The kiosks, which will initially run at district level, will provide community development news and dispense information adapted from national policy issues, among other functions.
Original Source: Sunday Mail (Zimb)
Source: http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=20844