By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
In a bid to avert both political and electoral violence ahead of the much anticipated 2023 harmonized elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network ZESN has implored Journalists to engage in conflict sensitive peace building Journalism.
The clarion call from the electoral watchdog comes at a time when the Media in Zimbabwe stands accused of sensationalism, proliferation of hate speech and uncured commissariat reporting.
Speaking, at a Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) National Media Indaba held in Mutare this week, ZESN Media and Information Officer Emilia Bundo chided members of the fourth estate against, scribing and publishing stories that are gravely panctuated with hate speech and political banter.
“Yes Journalists can report on events as they are but, there is no need to proliferate hate speech and even msygonist statements against women.
“Publishing hate speech during elections will further escalate issues and potentially lead to intra-inter party violence, which in the long run mars the credibility of an election,” she said.
Bundo also implored the Media to desist from it’s propensity to scribe stories bases on opinion rather than fact.
“There is need for the Media to move away from opinions and state the facts as they are,” she stated.
Bundo also said the Media should should be a space for reconciliation and conflict resolution and not a conflict brewing melting pot.
“During elections, the Media should serve as a space for reconciliation, the Media should work and seek comments from the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, The Zimbabwe Human Rights commission and if they themselves fall victim to any challenge the Zimbabwe Media Commission is there for redress.
“We also urge the Media to focus on Electoral developments, from the proclamation of the election the election date and further, the Media should exercise it’s duty to inform the masses, she said.
Speaking at the Same Indaba the Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson Paul Nyathi called upon the Media to report in issues wholesomely.
“Sometimes you wonder, kuti what’s the difference between main stream Media and social media users, someone just takes a line from a whole statement and then focus on that, as a story, they don’t wholesomely report on issues, you see that, this reporter has a preconceived intention, like the recent statement mmm you just wonder” he said.