Zimbabwe newspaper readers could soon have more choice of titles - the country's new Media Commission held its first meeting Thursday and agreed it will soon start licensing private newspapers in implementation of key provisions of the Global Political Agreement for power-sharing by the three main parties.
The commission issued a statement saying that it has resolved to "expeditiously fulfill its mandate as outlined in the Global Political Agreement and subsequent constitutional amendments."
The Media Commission was appointed in December but it did not hold its first meeting until this week.
Some observers said the commission is likely to be inundated with applications by entrepreneurs seeking to enter the news business. Media Commission Chairman Godfrey Majonga told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira his team is gearing up for media liberalization.
Wilf Mbanga, publisher of The Zimbabwean weekly newspaper, said it was about time the commission took some action to open up Zimbabwe's media space.
Elsewhere on the liberalization front, travelers between Bulawayo and Johannesburg now have a wider choice of carriers. Newly launched airline competitor Fly Kumba made its first flight between the cities on Thursday and will serve route three times a week.
Fly Kumba sells a one-way ticket from Bulawayo to Johannesburg for US$100 compared with the US$250 price at state-controlled Air Zimbabwe. Fly Kumba Chief Executive Lloyd Muchaka told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that the carrier intends to expand its operations in Zimbabwe.
