The country’s media regulatory body, the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), has called upon it’s stakeholders to create a conducive operating environment for journalists during the upcoming general elections to be held in August this year.
Addressing media practitioners during a press conference in Harare on Monday, ZMC Chairperson Rubhi Magosvongwe said the commission will engage different stakeholders with the aim to urge them to respect and allow journalists to work without being hampered and harassed.
The conference was focusing on the conduct of the media during the upcoming elections and any other election related issues.
“The Commission is also interested in enhancing the security of journalists during the elections period.
“To that end, the Commission will be engaging different stakeholders to have an appreciation of the work that journalists do. We therefore call upon stakeholders to respect the profession, allow journalists to work without undue hindrances,” she said.
To enhance the safety of journalists when covering elections, the commission also procured press jackets for all media practitioners.
“The jackets will enhance the visibility of journalists and that they will easily be identifiable,” she said.
Magosvongwe also called on the media to provide balanced coverage to all political parties, ensuring a free and fair election.
“Similarly, we call upon our media players to conduct themselves professionally.
“This is not the time for agenda driven journalism, fake news, misinformation, disinformation and other examples of poor journalism have no place in a functional democracy. Hate speech is abhorrent and cannot be acceptable,” she added.
Talking to journalists, ZMC Executive Secretary Godwin Phiri said the commission will also engage all political players on the issue of the media practitioners’ safety during the 2023 polls.
“We are also going to talk to all political parties and encourage them not to harass and intimidate journalists when covering elections,” he said.
The commission also launched an Elections Reporting and Peace Journalism Manual which deals with peace reporting, violence and conflict resolution, safety of journalists, elections and women and youths, and the conduct of the media when covering political activities.
ZMC will also train 1000 journalists on promoting peace and conflict-sensitive journalism during the elections.
