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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THERE are hardly any journalists who are predominantly committed to investigative reporting in Zimbabwe, even though there has been a slow resurgence of investigative journalism in the last few years, Information for Development Trust (IDT) director, Mr Tawanda Majoni, has said.
Speaking during an investigative journalism on foreign investment workshop which brought together 15 journalists from different media organisations across the country held in Kadoma recently, the IDT director, said: “Investigative journalism has been on a slow resurgence in the last few years. Many evidently investigative stories have been published, even though most of them have not produced the dramatic or sensational impact associated with investigative journalism.
“But there been numerous stories whose impact was immediate, especially regarding the Covid-19 period and, of late, reportage on foreign investments.
“Non-profit support has largely contributed to the resurgence, at a time newsrooms and freelance journalists are financially constrained. You will notice that, in Zimbabwe, there are hardly any journalists who are predominantly committed to investigative reporting and that could be one of the reasons why we are lagging behind such countries like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and some parts of West Africa.”
United States of America Embassy’s public affairs officer, Ms Rebecca Acher-Knepper urged investigative journalists to hold foreign companies with investments in the country to account by interrogating their work for the benefit of citizens.
“Zimbabwe needs foreign investments and partners to make its economy work, but it is important to know what the investments entail, the terms of the agreements, and how they will benefit local communities. We encourage you to look at investments from any country, even the United States, to ensure the deals are what they say they are.
“Ethical business practices are essential and exposing unscrupulous practices is an important job for journalists everywhere. Additionally, if you write about a foreign investment that is really working for the community and profitable for the investor, those stories can encourage other investors to support Zimbabwean businesses or communities,’ said Ms Acher-Knepper.
She added that investigative journalism entails unearthing uncomfortable truths and holding companies to account for their actions and uncovering information that would not be ordinarily available, sometimes it takes time and can be risk as well.
She also urged participants to be truthful, factual, informative, unbiased and brave so that the stories have a positive impact on the people of Zimbabwe, with the voices of the ordinary and marginalised in society being amplified so that those in the corridors of power can take action or change laws that are not favourable to the general citizenry.
IDT has commissioned investigative journalism which has impacted positively in combating corruption as well as benefit affected communities.
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