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Writes Marlvin Ngiza
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has raised concerns over the lapsing of ethical and professional journalism by some registered media houses in the country in the coverage of the 2023 harmonized elections saying that the commission was very ready to take disciplinary action against such players who violate the law to pursue their partisan political agendas.
In a press statement released recently, ZMC said it was disturbing to have such irresponsible conduct on the heels of the just-ended ZMC National Media Indaba which saw media houses reaffirming their commitment to be bound by the ethics of the profession.
“The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has noted with grave concern the lapse in ethical and professional journalism by some registered media houses in the coverage of the 2023 harmonized elections.
“ZMC wishes to advise all media players operating in Zimbabwe that it has the power to penalize any journalist or media house that is found to be abusing the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media as guaranteed by the constitution. We will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those journalists and media players who flagrantly violate the law to pursue their partisan political agendas,” reads the statement
The statement further notes that there was no place for activism or commissariat journalism in any newsroom while calling for responsible election reporting ahead of the 23 August polls.
“There is no place for activism or commissariat journalism in any newsroom. The commission urges all media operating in Zimbabwe and providing coverage to the 2023 harmonized elections to do so responsibly and to be guided by the generally agreed universal ethic, national ethics, and the very Codes of Conduct they deposited at the point of registration,” notes the statement
The two-day ZMC National Media Indaba which ended on 11 July was held in Mutare and has seen attendees signing a National Pledge reaffirming their commitment to professional and responsible journalism.
The two-day Indaba’s main objective was to get media stakeholders’ consensus on the expected media conduct and reportage of the 2023 harmonized general elections and it also assisted in the creation of a conducive environment for free, fair, and credible elections.