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Evelene Taadira Herald Reporter
MEDIA experts have called upon journalists to shy away from misleading reports about the country’s future and help preserve the peaceful environment in the aftermath of last week’s harmonised elections. Senior lecturer in the Media ad Society Studies department at Midlands State University, Dr Nhamo Mhiripiri, said media are supposed to be honest, objective and fair in its reporting of issues of national importance.
“Media should not create alarm and despondency,” said Dr Mhiripiri adding, “we need stability in the country and it is the mandate of media to correctly report on issues before, during and after national processes such as the recently held harmonised elections.”
Since last week’s landslide by Zanu-PF the independent media had been awash with news that the country was now in economic turmoil and that prices of basic foodstuffs were on the rise. There have also been reports that business had declined.
The negative reportage of issues, which is believed to be in protest against the revolutionary party’s victory, has seen some people hoarding food in fear of perceived shortages.
Dr Mhiripiri said various statutory instruments could be used to deal with the culprits but were not being used because journalists were perceived to be mature.
“If the State deals with these people through legislative instruments it will be criticised as being harsh, yet when it becomes so clear that they are being biased there is every right to take them to court,” he said.
Dean of Communication and Information Science at the National University of Science and Technology, Dr Lawton Hikwa, warned journalists against sensationalising issues to serve personal interests.
“In the process of reporting issues, the media should not amplify them to pursue a political agenda. If we were peaceful in the period before the elections there is no reason why the opposite should happen now that the elections are over,” he said.
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe director Mr Takura Zhangazha encouraged journalists to be consistent in their professional conduct.
“Journalists should not be surreptitious but should gather information in a professional manner,” he said.
Zimbabwe Media Commission chief executive Dr Tafataona Mahoso praised Zimbabweans for restraining themselves against provocations by foreign sponsored media.
“It is disappointing that certain sections of the media did not promote peace, even though churches, chiefs, the President and other political parties did so.
“Despite that, people still stood against the provocation,” he said.
Dr Mahoso said the negative reportage started way back before the elections to discredit the polls.
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