adminCommissioner Miriam Sibanda of the ZMC told a media workshop on reporting elections that the media, through their coverage of political activities, was duty-bound to spearhead peace initiatives that enhance national cohesion and integration.
“We encourage our media to desist from propagating hate speech, smear campaigns and all sorts of political mudslinging,” she said.
“There has been rampant inflammatory language, hate speech, name calling and use of certain adjectives to portray certain players in bad light. This is very unprofessional. Let the readers or viewers judge for themselves.”
The workshop which was organised by the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre aimed to generate deeper understanding of the electoral framework and processes in Zimbabwe and within the Sadc region as well. Mrs Sibanda enumerated Zimbabwean expectations of the media to play its educative and informative roles on various issues pertaining to the July 31 election.
Online Reporter