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Mutsawashe Mashandure
Herald Correspondent
As the country moves towards the harmonised elections on August 23 this year, the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) is aiming to train at least 1 000 journalists in the country in promoting peaceful, free, and fair polls.
Speaking at a workshop in Harare, ZMC commissioner Miriam Tose Majome said the main objective of the training was to improve the quality of journalism.
“The Commission is particularly interested in seeing professional and responsible media that promote the free flow of information and content and enables our citizens to make informed decisions.
“The development of the training manual came after the realisation of knowledge gaps in our media practitioners in covering the election story, particularly issues to deal with the electoral process and the attendant legal provisions,” she said.
“Elections should not divide us; different choices do not diminish our collectivity; we are still Zimbabweans, one family, driven by shared hopes, dreams and aspirations. We share a common history. The ability of voters to make informed choices is one of the key aspects of a democratic electoral process.
“The media, as the fourth estate, is expected to provide a communication platform between the contestants and the voters. The ability of voters to make informed choices is one of the key aspects of a democratic electoral process,” she said.
The manual deals with peace reporting, violence and conflict resolution, the safety of journalists, elections and women, elections and youths, and the conduct of the media when covering political activities.
The commission has already launched an Elections Reporting and Peace Journalism Manual, whose major objective is to capacitate media practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to report the elections story.
Speaking at same event, media training and development manager Tariro Shonhiwa said the commission was also interested in enhancing the security of journalists during the election period.
“The only way we can defend and enhance our profession is by sticking to the cardinal principles of the profession. To enhance the safety of journalists during this period, the commission has procured press jackets for all practitioners who will be covering the elections.
“The jackets will enhance the visibility of journalists so that they will be easily identified. To that end, the commission has been engaging different stakeholders to gain an appreciation for the work that journalists do.
“We therefore, call upon stakeholders to respect the profession and allow journalists to work without undue hindrances. Similarly, we call upon our media players to conduct themselves professionally,” she said.
The media was expected to provide a platform for public debate and scrutiny and inform the public of the policies of candidates and political parties.
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