That media law!

For about twenty years after independence, Zimbabwe had virtually no law governing the operations of newspapers. One did not need to talk to a single official in government to be able to start a newspaper. The only form one might have opted to fill in was to apply for special newspaper postage rates at the post office. Indeed, one did not need a press card to be able to report on any news; press cards were quite useful for entering soccer matches and after event parties but pretty much useless otherwise. In any case, obtaining a press card was a five minute affair which was freely provided by pleasant ministry staff at Liquenda house. This is not ancient history. Why can't we go back to that same beautiful place in recent history and let the sunlight disinfect our rotten republic? The electronic media was a different story altogether, being tightly controlled by the regime to this very day. I suggest that this is the area towards which reform efforts should be addressed, so that we can increase the players and spur competition and hopefully, permanently undermine the government's dominance of this sector.
All media workers should demand the restoration of the status quo ante with regards to the print media and insisit on government becoming a minor or non-player in both the broadcast and print media. On the internet, innovation should be left to thrive with no government role, except perhaps to expand broadband access across the country.
Parliament should only pass laws which increase or enhance the freedom of the people to access information, rather than protect the political and economic interests of the chosen few who(surprise! surprise!) also happen to be in government. As much as possible, only common law should govern the non-technical aspects of the news business, I say.