A five-member interviewing panel from the Parliamentary Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC) were by yesterday expected to have interviewed a total of 27 potential candidates who will be short listed for appointment to the ZMC and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).  A four-member panel of experts was also in place to determine the final list of candidates that will be short listed for onward appointment by the President.

Ironically, the advertisements placed for applications to be submitted for interviews by SROC were specifically for the ZMC and made no mention of the possibilities of those so short listed being also considered for BAZ appointments.

A total of 28 candidates applied to be duly considered serve for one who withdrew from the race. Each candidate was given 15 minutes to respond to six structured questions on:

• Their understanding of the significance of the national anthem
  What they would do to ensure media effectiveness  if duly appointed
  Two key principles of their respective professions and how one has lived to them
  Three best practices one would bring to the ZMC
  A strategy one would use to ensure equal and equitable usage of indigenous languages
  Relationship of the ZMC and civic society.
  

The Committee will submit a total of 12 names for consideration by the President who will appoint a total of nine names including the Chairperson of the ZMC. A total of 6 names will be similarly submitted to the President who will appoint three of them to the BAZ in terms Section 5 of the Broadcasting Services Act which establishes the regulatory authority.

 The ZMC will be the successor body to the now defunct Media and Information Commission (MIC) following amendments to the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the passage of Constitutional Amendment No 19.

The ZMC will be responsible for licensing journalists and media houses to practice in Zimbabwe as well as enforcing ethics in the media among its other functions and powers.