MUTARE – Residents and Ratepayers Associations have called on the media to act professionally amid allegations that some sections of the media are using sensationalism to sell copies.
Speaking at a familiarisation tour organised by the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) recently representatives from three residents associations here took turns to complain over sensationalism and the proliferation of hate speech in the media.
The representatives were from Combined Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (CMRRT), United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT) and Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA), who despite their differences combined to slam the media for fanning intolerance.
Mr David Mutambirwa programs coordinator for MURRA said some stories do not reflect what the banners or headlines say.
“Maybe in a bid to lure readers the banners are given a sensational headline which does not even reflect what will be on the story and as residents we feel that it is very unprofessional to mislead the people when the media is supposed to educate and inform the public,” he said
CMRRT information officer Rutherford Mangani said the media should not promote intolerance in society by using hate speech especially in political reporting.
“The media has a special task of uniting people despite their differences not to fan intolerance by labeling people along political lines.
“At one time opposition leaders are called derogatory names when they are just exercising their rights to political liberties, media should not quote such speech especially from leaders because it has a bearing on the attitudes of the readers,” he said.
UMRRT programs manager Edson Dube also urged the media to run away from the ‘suspect syndrome’ and give coverage to real issues on the ground.
“They should move away from the usual suspect syndrome they cover who they want to cover, when they want to cover and how they want to cover. I think the focus should be on real news from the grassroots,” he said.
Faith Ndlovu of VMCZ called for the repeal of repressive media legislation which was hindering the work of journalists. She singled out AIPPA as the most repressive media law which had led to the decline of standards in the media.
She also urged government to demonstrate their willingness to improve the current situation by following recommendations proffered by the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI) report led by veteran journalist Geoffrey Nyarota.
“As an organization we believe that AIPPA must go and be replaced by a new law that enables journalists to carry out their work effectively.
“Government through the office of the new Minister of Information must also ensure that they follow recommendations made by the general public during the IMPI outreach programme.
“The IMPI report has also several recommendations which we believe the new Minister of Information should seriously look into with a view of sanitizing the media,” she said.
Ndlovu also appealed to residents to make use of the VMCZ if they have any complaints they want to raise about the media.
“After this meeting we are hoping that if the media injures you in any way, you are not going to keep it to yourself but you will know that there is the VMCZ which can assist you,” she said.
Media personnel also slammed the repressive media laws which continue to be arbitrarily applied in contravention of sections of the Constitution which gives express guarantees of freedom of the media.
This repressive media laws have also led to the decline of standards of ethics and professionalism as media professionals exercise self censorship in fear or retribution and the law.
VMCZ is a voluntary regulating body established by media stakeholders which champions self regulation of the media by assisting the general public in redressing complaints and grievances which arise due to media reports.
