…As by-elections preparations are set for tomorrow (Saturday)

Ngoni Dapira

RENOWNED media lecturer and analyst Alexander Rusero has called on media to desist from sensationalizing political statements when covering political rallies.

This was said during a Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) elections reporting webinar on Wednesday in which several journalists from private, public and online media participated.

“Let’s not have political commissars masquerading as journalists in our media houses. Sensationalizing political utterances may lead to dire consequences in some instances, so let us remain professional and not sensationalise political statements,” said Rusero who was a moderator of the webinar.

Diamond FM station manager Jabulani Mangezi who was one of the three presenters for the webinar concurred with Rusero and said journalists must be professional and not align themselves with any political parties, especially during elections coverage.

“During elections being overzealous is not just seen from the politicians and their staunch supporters, but the media as well, as some journalists evidently align themselves with some political parties…Let us remain professional in the execution of our duties guided by our editorial policies obviously, but in our conduct let us remain unbiased when covering elections,” said Mangezi.

Jabulani Mangezi

He added that journalists must be well versed with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act to avoid unnecessary clashes with law enforcement officers when covering elections.

Former ZUJ president and veteran journalist Matthew Takaona who also presented said the media has an important watchdog role to play during the elections process, for both pre-reporting and post elections.

“Elections are about democracy and democracy is about transparency. This is the basis of the watchdog role of journalists, to ensure transparency happens during the electoral process,” said Takaona who is also a consultant for The Mirror publication.

He also urged all political parties and state security agencies to refrain from harassing or abusing journalists, citing that during the 2008 harmonised elections there was a very strong hit-list for some journalists. “ZUJ and all other media lobby organizations should make sure that such things are reprimanded in the forthcoming by-elections and the 2023 elections,” said Takaona.

Takaona added that the habit of ‘overzealous’ police officers that confiscate camera’s or phones of accredited journalists carrying out their duties must be strongly castigated. “No police officer has the right to take a journalist’s camera, just like how no one has the right to take away a police officer’s button stick when enforcing the law.  Journalists have the right to carry out their duties so long they are credited,” he said.

Sunday News editor Limukani Ncube in his presentation said the media will play an important role of factual news coverage during the election process, especially during the current covid-19 period. He however also advised journalists not to act immune to covid-19 while carrying out their duties.

“Covid-19 or not as journalists we are an important part of the election process. We have to be balanced, objective and truthful to give the public factual news in these times of fake news often peddled on social media. However, let us always exercise caution while carrying out our duties and observe WHO (World Health Organisation) covid-19 guidelines for our own personal safety,” said Ncube.

In his welcome remarks ZUJ president Michael Chideme stressed that journalists safety is of paramount importance especially during the election process. His said long gone are the days when scoops were prioritised, but nowadays journalist’s safety should come first.

Michael Chideme

“There is no story worth dying for. Prioritize safety and try move in groups when covering elections,” said Chideme.

The issue of saying there is no story worth dying for however torched a storm as some were of the view that for some news beats, that does not work as journalists always trade in murky waters during war reporting or political reporting during watershed elections.

On another note, the calls against sensationalizing political statements were also echoed by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa during his Manicaland rally held at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare last Saturday.

CCC president Advocate Chamisa making his remarks last Saturday in Mutare.

Adv Chamisa said no to violence and urged the media to be apolitical to avoid civil unrest. “Genocide in Rwanda was caused by media falsehoods, especially when media becomes the mouthpiece of the State,” said Chamisa talking about the poor coverage of the Kwekwe incident on 27 February that ended in the death of 30-year Mboneni Ncube and the injury of 22 CCC supporters that attended the rally.

Meanwhile, tomorrow (Saturday) Zimbabwe will hold by-elections in 28 parliamentary constituencies with vacancies arising from recalls, deaths and the dismissal of legislators. In addition, there are 105 council seats up for grabs. According to ZEC, polling shall take place from 7am to 7pm.

Manicaland has two constituencies where National Assembly by-elections will be held, Mutasa South and Dangamvura/Chikanga. In Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency there is renowned and controversial musician Hosiah Chipanga who will be representing his party Patriotic Zimbabweans, Taurai Mudzipurwa will be representing the MDC Alliance, Dr Isau Mupfumi will be the Zanu PF candidate, Prosper Mutseyami representing CCC and Anesu Zaranyika representing MA’AT Zimbabwe.

In Mutasa South there are four candidates, Misheck Mugadza representing Zanu PF, Lynette Ndoro an independent candidate, Pedzisai Tauzeni representing MDC-Alliance and Regai Tsunga representing the CCC.

Below is the complete list of candidates participating in the National Assembly by-elections.

Source: Government Gazette