Media government relations The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has continued to avail herself together with officials from her ministry for engagements as the country continues to forge ahead with its media law and policy reforms. In cases where she could not be available due to other official engagements, she has demonstrated her commitment to continuously engage on media-related issues by seconding her Deputy, Honourable Kindness Paradza. These interactions and engagements have ensured that the nation is kept abreast on progress or lack thereof, pertaining to the media law reform processes more so as it pertains to the outstanding issue of the proposed gazetting of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill and co-regulation of the media as mentioned earlier in this report. This has also ensured that issues on the need for comprehensive media reforms remain on the agenda. For instance, during the year under review, government continuously reiterated its commitment to co-regulation of the media as well as providing updates on the status of the proposed Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill. This makes it easy to hold the government to account in terms of progress being made through further engagements and follow-ups in that regard. https://www.herald.co.zw/co-regulation-will-ensure-accountability/ https://allafrica.com/stories/202112030174.htm https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-media-practitioners-bill-on-the-cards Regrettably, this has not generally been the case with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, where it pertains to engagements on issues pertaining to the internet regulatory framework, internet access and affordability, internet rights and freedoms, in Zimbabwe. 10