LOOKING BACK: Journalists link to masses, says Shava

The Herald, 15 August, 1981

THE Institute of Mass Communications should train journalists who will bridge the gap between Government and the masses, the Minister of Manpower Planning and Development, Dr Frederick Shava said, last night.

Speaking at the official opening of the institute in Salisbury, he said that since the formation of the Mass Media Trust was aimed at localising ownership of the media, it was logical that the trust should seek to train local people to do the job properly.

The institute, the minister said, should produce journalists who would:

• Bridge the gap between the masses and the policy makers by keeping the people well-informed of Government policies, decisions and anxieties.
• Keep the people informed of progress or problems in reconstruction, resettlement and development.
• Become teachers of the masses on major issues or problems facing the nation, through objective interpretation of events.

Dr Shava said the advent of independence hailed the creation of journalists with minds focused on peace, justice and equality. In fulfilling these roles, objectivity and fairness were a must. Different or opposite opinions must be treated fairly without deliberate exaggeration or distortion.

“The task of a journalist in Zimbabwe is to inform the nation and the world of objective positions on whatever subject they may be reporting on. Reporters must be a source of correct information, not a source of misinformation and unfounded sensationalism.”

He acknowledged the potency of newspapers, radio and television and the considerable influence they had on people and said the need for intelligent reporting could not be emphasised enough.

The institute would not only benefit groups and organisations in the country, but those in other countries in the region. The institute was opened in April and is training 50 students taking one-year courses in news agency journalism, radio broadcasting and radio technical operations.

Dr Shava thanked the Frederick Nauman Foundation of West Germany, UNESCO and the Africa Educational Trust for assistance to the institute.