MDC-T deputy secretary general Tapiwa Mashakada has said the opposition parties have had a torrid time in trying to reform the media in which the

state has harnessed to be the mouth piece of the ruling party

He said by right the media is often referred to as the 4th estate which comes after the other 3 pillars of State namely the Executive, Parliament

and Judiciary.

"Before the advent of social media, media access for the opposition was too bad. In terms of penetration, the most pervasive media is the radio and

television. The opposition has had a tough time calling for media reforms. The ZBC and radio was dominated by Zanu PF. In regard to public media the situation has not changed," he said.

"However in recent years this monopoly was challenged by VoP and Studio 7 which broadcast off shore. Now there is Social Media which has improved communication subject to the affordability of compatible gadgets for things like facebook, tweeter, internet and whatsapp platforms. These are still restricted in rural areas due to gadget affordability issues. So there is still a problem. What Iam.saying is let private media and social media be options available after reforming access to public media which by its very nature is funded by the taxpayer."

He said equal access is key, but there is the AIPPA legislation again which further complicates matters.

"Therefore Media reforms are just as necessary on the reform agenda. The 2018 elections will be won in the cyberspace. What happened during the

American elections and the role of the media is instructive," he said.

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