need to open a new chapter that will regain and restore Zimbabwe’s pride of place in the community of nations. The country’s humanitarian, economic, social and political crisis cannot and will not be resolved through the use of inappropriate language but requires a meeting of the minds across the political divide for the common good. The media and journalists at large should reflect on the role that they can play to influence all the critical players to use reason and people-centred pragmatism to secure the long cherished peace, stability, justice, prosperity and socioeconomic wellbeing of the people of Zimbabwe. It is therefore incumbent upon the principals to the GPA and Parliament to speedily establish a monitoring mechanism4 to ensure the state media conforms to the envisaged principles of the Agreement and cover all issues affecting the country fairly and impartially in line with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Windhoek Declaration, African Charter on Broadcasting and Banjul Declaration on the Principles of Freedom of Expression in Africa. As Zimbabwe reflects on the trials and tribulations of 2008 with increased anxiety and trepidation on whether the envisaged inclusive government will come into being as expected in January 2009, it becomes even more imperative for the nation to be seized with a greater sense of collective responsibility and commitment to work for the restoration of the greater good of the country and the majority of its pauperised citizens who forage the landscape on empty stomachs. v Media Environment Regulation of the media The media environment remained constricted through the continued existence and application of restrictive legislation notably the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Broadcasting Services Act, Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). The amendments to AIPPA, POSA and BSA which were passed by Parliament in December 2007 were inconsequential in relation to freeing the media media space. In terms of the amendments to AIPPA statutory regulation was retained despite the name change of the state-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC) to the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC). The ZMC which is still to be constituted will still be tasked with the functions of media regulation, registration of mass media and accrediting of journalists. Members of the ZMC will consist of nine members appointed by the President from a list of persons nominated by the Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. In a blatant disregard of the Banjul Declaration, the AIPPA Amendments will see the establishment of a Media Council, appointed by the statutory ZMC, which will be chaired by a member of the same Commission. This flies in the face of the Banjul Declaration and the principle of media self-regulation. 4 In terms of the Agreement the parties were supposed to have immediately constituted a Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) to ensure the implementation and letter of the agreement to among other issues, receive reports and complaints in respect to its implementation, enforcement and execution; promote continuing dialogue among the parties and serve as a catalyst in creating and promoting an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding. 4