By Tinaani Nyabereka
Mutare- The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) working together with the UNDP and UNESCO recently trained journalists on electoral processes reporting.
Speaking at the Bridge engagement workshop that was being facilitated by ZMC in Mutare recently, the commission’s executive secretary Godwin Phiri said there was need to build a resilient media ecosystem that collaborates with various organisations involved in electoral processes.
“Journalists should work with ZMC and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to build a resilient media ecosystem that contributes to peaceful, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe.
“We want a media which speaks to the discourse of nation building, promoting factual reportage which outlines and strengthens the democracy of the nation,” said Phiri.
Speaking at the event, French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Paul-Bertrand Barets said the French community was willing to work and partner with the media in Zimbabwe to promote journalistic work towards monitoring all stages of the electoral cycle.
“The media has a responsibility to continue monitor and report on the implementation of the electoral promises and commitments and to hold the elected officials accountable to the people.
“Let us remember that elections are not an event but a process. Therefore, maintaining media ethics and standards throughout the electoral cycle is extremely crucial.
“France Embassy is committed to be working with the media in Zimbabwe as we strive to build a media which fosters election coverage basing on truthfulness and factual evidence,” said Barets
ZMC Principal Director, Academy Chinamora said a number of media practitioners were not well capacitated to effectively cover electoral processes and that had influenced the engagement workshop.
“The purpose of having the Bridge engagement such as this one is very important because capacitation is very key and crucial in as far as election coverage is concerned. What we can take from this are key project outcomes which involves the promotion of development of the media to be independent and fair in terms of election coverage.
“We need to build a resilient media which effectively participates in promoting free and fair election in Zimbabwe,” Chinamora said.
UNESCO Regional Advisor for Communication and Information, Al Amin Yusuph commented the law enforcement bodies for maintaining ties with media in Zimbabwe during last year’s election.
“The integrity of information is under constant threat, with hate speech, false narratives and misleading content, often overshadowing factual reporting. This makes it imperative for the media to act as a vigilant gatekeeper, ensuring that the public receives accurate and unbiased information.
“To ensure that the media continues to contribute positively during elections, it is crucial for all media stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of journalist integrity,” said Yusuph.
