Zimbabwe Media Commission Chairperson, Professor Ruby Magosvongwe
By Dickson Bandera
Proper training and equipment of media practitioners covering elections provides opportunities for accurate, fair and balanced reporting as well as safety and security of journalists.
These aspects are key in determining the credibility of a democratic electoral process.
Zimbabwe is set to hold harmonized elections on August 23, and the media is expected to provide a communication platform between the contestants and the voters.
By providing such a platform for public debate, scrutiny and informing the public of the policies of candidates and political parties, the media will enable voters to judge for themselves and make informed decisions when they cast their votes or ballots.
In line with this, the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has lined up strategies to capacitate and protect media practitioners ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
In a statement on the proclamation of the 2023 election date, ZMC chairperson, Prof Ruby Magosvongwe outlined the steps that the Commission is taking to ensure that media practitioners play their constitutional role unhindered and professionally.
She said the Commission will train 1000 journalists on peace and conflict-sensitive journalism as it aims to equip journalists with knowledge, skills and attitudes required to cover the plebiscite.
A manual on Elections Reporting and Peace Journalism to be distributed to media practitioners across the country has already been launched.
The Manual contains information on peace reporting, violence and conflict resolution, safety of journalists, elections and women, elections and youths as well as conduct of the media when covering political activities, among other topics.
In terms of security, ZMC revealed that security measures in place to protect journalist include engaging stakeholders and issuance of press jackets.
“The Commission is also interested in enhancing the security of journalists during the elections period. To that end, the Commission will be engaging different stakeholders to have an appreciation of the work that journalists do,” reads the statement.
“We therefore call upon stakeholders to respect the profession, allow journalists to work without undue hindrances.”
The Media Commission has procured Press Jackets for all practitioners who will be covering the elections for easy identification.
While all these measures are in place, media practitioners have an obligations to conduct themselves professionally and avoid tendencies that are inconsistent with the profession, says Prof Magosvongwe.
“This is not the time for agenda driven journalism, fake news, misinformation, disinformation and other examples of poor journalism have no place in a functional democracy. Hate speech is abhorrent and cannot be acceptable.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the only way we can defend and enhance our profession is by sticking to the cardinal principles of the profession. The profession is a science based on facts. This being the case, we call upon all to respect the sanctity of facts,” she added.
