Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has unveiled the CCZ Media Awards, an initiative aimed at recognising outstanding journalism on consumer protection issues while strengthening collaboration with the media to raise public awareness of consumer rights.
Announcing the awards at a media engagement workshop in Harare on Thursday, CCZ chief executive officer Mrs Rosemary Mpofu, said the initiative was part of efforts to increase the organisation’s visibility, promote consumer education and showcase the impact of the Consumer Protection Act.
“As we mark the 71st anniversary of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, we want to recognise journalists and media houses that have supported our work over the years,” she said.
“The awards will help advance the visibility of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, promote consumer awareness and education and highlight the successes of the Consumer Protection Act enacted in 2019.”
Mrs Mpofu said the awards will encourage accurate, ethical and consistent reporting on consumer issues while giving recognition to journalists whose work contributes to protecting consumers.
She said CCZ also plans to strengthen engagement with journalists by creating opportunities for them to cover consumer – related events at local, regional and international levels.
The media engagement workshop, she said, marked the beginning of a closer partnership between the CCZ and the media to ensure more Zimbabweans know where to seek assistance when they encounter unfair trade practices.
“Today (yesterday)’s workshop is significant because it marks the beginning of a closer partnership between the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and the media community,” Mrs Mpofu said.
“The media is our mouthpiece and we need your support to create the much-needed visibility so that people know where to go when they face consumer protection challenges.”
Mrs Mpofu said despite serving consumers for more than seven decades, many Zimbabweans remained unaware of the organisation’s role in resolving disputes between consumers and suppliers of goods and services.
She urged journalists to continue reporting consumer issues with integrity and accuracy.
“Work closely with us to fully understand consumer issues and help ensure that consumers know both their rights and responsibilities.
“An informed consumer is an empowered consumer,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu said the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in 2019, following nearly two decades of advocacy has strengthened consumer protection by guaranteeing rights such as fair and honest dealing, access to safe and quality goods and services, full disclosure of information, protection against unfair business practices and access to redress.
She warned businesses against displaying unlawful notices such as “No Returns, No Refunds” and said such practices were outlawed under the Act and could attract penalties.
Zimbabwe National Editors Forum chairperson Njabulo Ncube said the media has a dual responsibility of influencing consumer behaviour while safeguarding consumers against exploitation.
“The media is both a driver of consumer behaviour and a guardian of consumer rights. Ethical reporting is essential in empowering citizens to make informed decisions in the marketplace,” he said.
Ncube said investigative journalism remained critical in exposing unsafe products, misleading advertising and unfair business practices while media coverage of consumer protection institutions promoted transparency and accountability.
