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, yesterday said the media is a key component in the country’s national processes and should play an important part in making information available to the country’s national players.
Speaking at the end of a two-day workshop for editors and news editors on “conflict and sensitive reporting”, which was organised by the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration in Nyanga, Cde Charamba said it was important for the media to recognise the responsibility it has.
The editors and news editors, who attended the workshop were from the public and private media.
Cde Charamba said the media should practise balanced reporting and be objective.
“The media should identify the key issues of the day and lessen misrepresentation and where there is conflict it should tamper down the mood of the nation,” he said.
Cde Charamba said owners of media organisations should put the development of the country ahead of profits.
He said journalists should appreciate the fact that the media was capable of building and destroying.
“The media should differentiate between the good and the bad,” said Cde Charamba, who is the presidential spokesperson.
He also said it was important for journalists to assist in protecting the country’s national values such as integrity, sovereignty, unity and security.
Cde Charamba said the Government was prepared to assist journalists come up with a code of conduct, which would regulate their operations.
During the two days of the workshop different speakers also called on journalists to be nation builders and avoid stoking fires in conflict situations.
They said the media could escalate conflicts like what happened in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than 800 000 people were killed during political disturbances.
At the end of the workshop it was agreed that journalists should go back to basics and make sure that they are professional, ethical, fair, accurate and accountable for the manner in which they framed their stories.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter