adminENGAGEMENT, cooperation and dialogue have over the years proved useful when mending strained relations.
This recipe works wonders when parties are ready to find each other.In most cases, big egos, bureaucracy and inferiority complex have strained relations and jeopardised any room for engagement.
It, however, takes brilliant and sober minds to end such a tiff.
Strained relations can go on for years when the main characters are not ready to find each other.
Dialogue and engagement remain the only dependable solution for individuals, or groups, to find a way to bury the hatchet.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, recently noted that there was a need for them to work closely with the media in serving the public’s interests.
By his own admission, during a recent workshop with journalists in Harare, Ass-Comm Nyathi conceded that relations between the two parties were previously strained.
His admission was a clear indication the police are ready to complement the media and serve the public in various capacities.
Ass-Comm Nyathi said the police will always stick to their mandate of maintaining law and order while journalists should always inform the public as honestly as could be possible, without twisting facts to suit a certain agenda.
He reiterated that the police remain a law enforcement arm of the Government while journalists are members of the Fourth Estate.
Ass-Comm Nyathi’s call comes at a time when the police are showing their commitment towards complementing journalists to do their job without fear or favour.
His remarks that they were ready to act as facilitators to help journalists to discharge their duties is refreshing.
In this era of social media, where tonnes of distortions and lies are being circulated, the media needs to work hand in hand with the police for clarity’s sake.
Factual and official information can only be obtained from the police who are always on the ground.
At H-Metro, we have been taking the lead in breaking serious cases of domestic violence, child rape and sexual assault.
Some of the perpetrators we exposed of committing heinous offences, are now in jail after the police made follow-ups.
This is how the media and the police should work together to serve the public.
Ass-Com Nyathi emphasised that there was a need for balance and verification of facts.
A balanced story is every editor’s wish since it saves them from being slapped with lawsuits.
It also boosts the profile of newspapers, or other media organisations, when the public believes that they are getting the truth in what they are reading or hearing from these media platforms.
The police say they are not here to turn the jobs of journalists into a tough profession.
They are clear in their message that they want to help the journalists in the execution of their duties but, as journalists, we also should play our part in ensuring that we don’t just write, or broadcast, stories which have no basis at all.
Online Reporter