Section 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.