adminThe legislators said some of the stories reported in both the electronic and print media reflect that reporters would not have verified their facts and this compromised the standard of journalism in the country.
Speaking during belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations organised by the Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) in Masvingo on Saturday, legislators from both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations underscored the need for the media to report responsibly and accurately.
Chivi South House of Assembly Member Irvin Dzingirayi said journalists should verify their facts before going to press since distorted facts destroy the credibility of both the reporter and the publication.
The Misa theme for this year’s commemorations was “Media Freedom Now or Never”.
“As MPs we expect reporters to get their facts right before putting them to writing. We would be glad even if you attack us in an objective manner and not to depend on hearsay without making any effort to check the authenticity of your sources,” said MP Dzingirayi.
The Zanu-PF legislator said reporters should not confuse the nation by publishing half baked stories adding that the media should act in a manner that justifies its significance in developing the country.
“You must not depend on speculations but there is need to pursue a story to its logical end and making sure you do not confuse the nation by writing stories based on rumours. For example most stories on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that were published by our papers reflected that reporters had no tangible facts and MPs were sometimes wrongly blamed. The media should justify why it should be made the fourth arm of government by reporting accurately and responsibly,” he said.
The MP took a swipe at papers that publish falsehoods about the Head of State and urged journalists to stop their speculative tendencies especially on the President’s health.
Media parliamentary portfolio committee chairperson Settlement Chikwinya advised the media against writing stories that tend to create anarchy and bring despondency in the country.
“Reporters should be aware that if you keep speculating on the health of the head of state, shares on the stock exchange can respond by loosing value and the currency can actually devalue. The investor confidence will obviously fall and there can be a recession. So it is against this background that as much as you want to inform the public, you should bear in mind the consequences of irresponsible reporting and we do not expect the media that we want to protect to behave in such a manner,” said MP Chikwinya.
The Mbizo (Kwekwe) House of Assembly member said as a committee on media they were looking forward to having a number of bills passed in Parliament and expressed optimism that they would pass without fail.
“We look forward to having a number of media reforms and in Parliament there are a number of bills like the Media Bill to be passed and we hope they will sail through.
“The licencing of new papers and two other radio stations also encourages us. Although there is need for clarity on certain issues, we are happy with this development because it shows Government commitment towards having media diversity.
“We will have the Zimpapers Talk Radio station before our committee because we want to find out their editorial policy and check from them whether they will be different from ZBC,” he said.
The MDC-T MP, who was also the guest speaker, said as legislators they were committed to having the laws that hinder operations of the media repealed and they need the media support.
Online Reporter