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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE media has been called upon to respect the sanctity of facts during the August 2023 harmonised elections period.
Speaking during a Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC)-hosted National Indaba on the 2023 General Harmonised Elections being held in Mutare, ZMC chairperson, Professor Ruby Magosvongwe, said there should be balanced and factual reporting by the media during the harmonised elections period.
“The media provides platforms for contestants and citizens to engage in public debate and, therefore, is expected to produce factual reports on the election process itself. An elections reporter must have a clear understanding of the meaning of politics as well as first hand familiarity with electoral processes. Journalists should be research savvy and be good historians of political matters and activities when it comes to electoral reporting,” she said.
Chief director in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Jonathan Gandari speaking on behalf of Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the local media should take its place and join the election conversation as an equal partner to international media.
“We have 192 registered media houses in Zimbabwe, with 73 of them being more active than others. Because of this large number, we are expecting robust reports during this election season.
“As the media, remember that you are not the contestants. The voters are looking forward to hearing the policies of candidates and real hard news that inform the voters of where Zimbabwe is going. Do not neglect policy issues during the coverage of these elections. Journalism needs intelligence, diligence, bravery and hard work to go through detail before anything is published,” she said.
The two-day indaba is being attended by academics, members of the media, media consultants, independent commissions as well as political party representatives.
Online Reporter