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Delivering a paper during a discussion titled ‘‘Beyond Party Politics – Towards a National Vision for Zimbabwe” at Sapes in Harare on Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai took a dig at public media journalists for criticising him and his party, describing them as ‘‘shallow”.
‘‘I know what ZBC says, I know what The Herald writes about me . . . they are shallow,” Mr Tsvangirai was quoted as saying.
In a statement yesterday, ZUJ secretary-general Foster Dongozi, said Mr Tsvangirai’s attacks on the media demeaned and undermined the journalists.
“We are concerned that among the public officials implicated in the use of intolerant language with potential to undermine or demean journalists is Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, whose statements implied that colleagues working in the public media are shallow,” he said.
ZUJ RELATED
ZUJ represents journalists in the public and private media.
Dongozi said ZUJ was concerned with attacks on the media from public officials from political parties.
“While pledging ourselves to exercise ethical and professional journalism, we appeal to the inclusive Government, political parties, public officials, personalities and all Zimbabweans to exercise restraint when addressing media issues which may create animosity and incitement against the safety, welfare and protection of journalists. We acknowledge that journalists need to improve on professional and ethical conduct after the profession was for several years in the doldrums,” he said.
Dongozi, however, said the use of terms such as “shallow” in reference to practitioners was not tolerated especially in a volatile political environment. He said this was not expected from PM Tsvangirai who for long claimed to be fighting for the rights of workers.
“Colleagues in the public media are workers and comrades in the fight for freedom of expression, safety and protection and we are reminded of the workers rallying cry: An injury to one is an injury to all! There are no sinners or saints.
“We take this opportunity to condemn all attempts to politicise journalism in some media organisations around the country,” he said.
Mr Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party compiled names of journalists to be placed on EU and US sanctions list, which sanctions his party has refused to condemn.
ZUJ also attacked Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu who singled out the Daily News while appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Mines and Energy that the paper was working with the country’s detractors.
He said Minister Mpofu’s statement put many journalists in the private media at risk, as other players would interpret them differently.
In addition, ZUJ has received a report that a journalist, Xolisani Ncube of the Daily News was allegedly told by Harare Town Clerk, Tendai Mahachi that “I will deal with you”.
Daily News entertainment editor Maxwell Sibanda, ZUJ said, was recently threatened with death by musician Andy Brown in full view of other journalists.
Online Reporter