Shamu urges media to lead in shunning violence

to educate people to shun violence as the country approaches watershed harmonised elections this year.
Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu said the media should take heed of  the country’s political leadership’s gospel against politically motivated violence in the run-up to, during and after the elections.

The Minister was speaking at the 20th World Press Freedom Day Anniversary in Harare yesterday. This year’s theme is, “Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in all Media”.

“The media should also take note of the mood in the country which is against political violence or any forms of violence in the country,” said Minister Shamu in a speech read on his behalf by the ministry’s director of rural communications, Mr Regis Chikowore.

Zimbabweans, said Minister Shamu, were tired of being used as pawns in senseless political conflicts. He said the media had no business using their communication tools and skills to fan violence or peddle non-existent political polarisation in the country in the run-up to the elections.

“They, therefore, have a responsibility to protect the interests of Zimbabwe, the country’s sovereignty and independence and that does not in any way compromise any media standards. It simply raises the professional bar to even higher standards. We saw this ably demonstrated in the recent elections in Kenya,” Minister Shamu said.

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He said the Kenyan national media took a firm position for peace and for the sovereignty of that country and successfully conquered western media.

He said the local media practitioners should emulate Kenyan media to earn the respect of society and the nation at large.  Minister Shamu said World Press Freedom Day provided an opportunity for countries to introspect and reflect on the work carried out by journalists.

Minister Shamu said media decolonisation in the developing world had been synonymous with the decolonisation of political systems in former colonies.

Zimbabweans, just like other nations, he said, should be able to freely express themselves in the media of their choice.