Minister Shamu’s statement followed the criticism levelled at Zimpapers publications and ZBC-News by MDC-T at its national executive council meeting in Masvingo on Sunday, where it resolved to seek the arbitration of Sadc and the African Union on the outstanding issues under the Global Political Agreement.

“The Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity notes with satisfaction the great editorial balance and sensitivity with which the public media has tackled issues since the launch of the inclusive Government in February early this year.

“In spite of real resource constraints and the often overbearing and conflicting expectations on them from certain quarters, these editors and management in the public media have held their own, exhibiting exceptional professionalism which has shown by way of well-ranked, fair, balanced and deeply sensitive coverage and presentation of news,” Minister Shamu said.

He said the editorial balance and fairness was there for the fair-minded to see and salute and the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee — which is tasked with ensuring adherence to the implementation of the power-sharing agreement between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations — had also acknowledged this.

“The Ministry decries and dismisses as invalid and cynical weekend criticism levelled against the public media by one of the parties to the inclusive Government,” he said.

Government, Minister Shamu said, considered the criticism as selfish and narcissistic, and calculated to intimidate and chill editors into doing editorial bidding of the concerned party (MDC-T) or its publicity-craving officials.

“The Ministry will continue to encourage the public media to concentrate on national issues as well as defending fiercely Zimbabwe’s national interests, whether at home or abroad.”

The minister said in fulfilling this role, the public media shall not be distracted by self-serving criticism as witnessed last weekend.