United Kingdom based lawyer, Pardon Tapfumaneyi, has emphasised the role that journalists play in nation building.
Tapfumanei said, while journalists had a crucial role, working together to advance the interest of the country was important.
“As a country we will always have issues therefore it is okay for us to understand that if we don’t act together we will sink together. We need to unite as Zimbabweans for the purpose of national development. Whether you are in Zimbabwe or abroad,” he said.
“So as Zimbabweans with all different sectors, journalists, politicians, economists, everyone we should get to a point where we can, for example, set politics aside and consider national development.”
Zimbabwe has had dark parts related to human rights violations, the worst being the 1980’s Gukurahundi massacres.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week launched the start of public hearings to address the mass killings in what he said is part of a wider plan to promote nation building.
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Tapfumaneyi said the role of the media cannot be overestimated.
“Journalists, play a very crucial role in giving the right information, accurate information, reporting and adhering to the ethical issues that bind you as journalists, ensuring that there is no conflict of interest, minimising harm, and making sure that you are independent in terms of your reporting, and also ensuring that there is transparency.
“We don't want you to be blinkered but we want you to maintain that independence. When it comes to Zimbabwe, like any other country, we do have our issues that are in Zimbabwe,” Tapfumanei said.
He added: “One thing that we tend to measure on is our differences. We amplify our differences.
“And on things that are in Zimbabwe, things that we agree on, we downplay them. And that's true when you look at politics. There are things that we will not agree on political and moral grounds.”