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The media which is referred to as the fourth estate plays a critical role in society. The media’s simple mandate is to inform, educate and entertain the people. Members of the public therefore look up to the media to assist them to make informed decisions. This critical role of the media should not be taken for granted. It is therefore incumbent upon journalists to ensure they report nothing but the truth. Publishing or broadcasting falsehoods is a criminal act and journalists who do so should not be members of the fourth estate. The government has since independence taken great strides to promote media pluralism in both the print and electronic media.
The country today boasts a number of newspapers which are either state or private-owned. There are also private and state-owned radio stations and only on Friday, the acting President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the newest commercial radio station,YAFM in Zvishavane.
The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Cde Christopher Mushohwe, who also attended the launch said the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has since issued licences to eight urban-based commercial radio stations.
He said the idea is to decentralise broadcasting to all corners of the country. Minister Mushohwe said towns such as Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, Victoria Falls, Zvishavane and Kariba will have their own radio stations. “It’s our hope that this liberalisation of the airwaves will create healthy competition in the broadcasting arena resulting in quality and informative programming that our citizens deserve,” said Minister Mushohwe.
The Minister urged those that have been licensed to operate responsibly by observing the Broadcasting Service Act. Speaking at the same launch acting President Mnangagwa implored the media to exercise responsibility and restraint in their reporting. Cde Mnangagwa said irresponsible journalism could have disastrous consequences. The acting President gave the example of the Rwanda genocide which he said was driven largely by a radio station that championed hate speech.
The warning by both Cde Mnangagwa and Minister Mushohwe should be taken very seriously because the media can be destructive instead of helping to build the nation. It is our fervent hope that the Zimbabwean media will continue to uphold journalism ethics so that it contributes in building Zimbabwe as opposed to destroying it.
It is the task of the media to preach the gospel of peace and tolerance so that the nation remains united. It is the role of the media to mobilise the people to participate in the development of their respective communities. The government has come up with an economic development blueprint, Zim-Asset and it is the responsibility of the media to ensure people understand what this blueprint is all about.
The media also has the responsibility of ensuring individuals especially those in leadership positions account for their actions. The media should expose corruption and other such anti-social acts that negatively affect society. We want to once again urge journalists to heed Cde Mnangagwa’s warning and exercise responsibility and restraint in their reporting.
Online Reporter