MEDIA lobby organisations have expressed concern at threats by Information ministry secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana of unspecified action against Masvingo Mirror, a provincial paper, saying his remarks have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and media freedom.
Mangwana, writing about Zimbabwe’s foreign policy on non-interference, specifically on the post-electoral conflict in Mozambique in a column on Thursday in the State-controlled Herald newspaper claimed that Masvingo Mirror was the one behind accusations of Zimbabwe’s meddling in the electoral affairs of the regional neighbour.
He said the publication was breaking the law and that the “writing was on the wall” for the media house.
“Initially, these accusations were not coming from any participants in the Mozambican elections, but some media outfit in Masvingo which has been wantonly breaking the law with brazen frequency. For this outfit, the writing is on the wall,” Mangwana said.
The Information secretary’s remarks followed news reports by Masvingo Mirror on how two of the publication’s undercover local journalists had voted in the Mozambican elections amid allegations by interviewees quoted in the reports confirming that they had voted despite being ineligible.
Mangwana neither specified how Masvingo Mirror was breaking the law nor did he outline how the writing was on the wall for the publication, raising concerns of media support groups.
Perfect Hlongwane, chairperson of a network of media professional associations and support organisations, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), said Mangwana’s threats against the media were regrettable and that the government should use available remedies to express any grievances with the media.
“We should now be moving from a culture of veiled threats and intimidation to that of engagement in a manner that guarantees the safety of the media and enhances freedom of expression,” Hlongwane said.
- The story behind Zim media’s coverage of China
- Govt says ready to open up media space
- Empowering girls goes beyond protection against sexual violence
- Obituary: Abigail Gamanya was more than a media icon
Keep Reading
“The media should be challenged on the basis of facts and if, indeed, they are proven wrong, alternative means of clarifying stories are available without the threats of harassment.
“There are professional media bodies that can be approached such as the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Media Commission which has a constitutional mandate to mediate on complaints against the media in a democratic manner.”
The MAZ chairperson’s remarks were echoed by other media bodies such as the Community Newspapers Association of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators, who urged the government not to strain relationships with the media at a time when negotiations for reforms in the media are ongoing.
The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef) said the network of editors was closely following the development and “stands ready to defend against attacks on free speech.”
Njabulo Ncube, the national co-ordinator of the editors’ body, said: “Zinef is shocked by the threats against The Mirror, which was the first to alert the southern region, if not the world, of these shenanigans ahead of the Mozambican polls.
“Zinef is very alert and is watching closely the situation as it has a devastating impact on the staff of The Mirror, the editor and proprietor.”
Added Ncube: “We stand ready to support all staff at the publication. Zinef views these threats in a very serious light as we believe it is an affront to media freedom and freedom of expression as enshrined in the Zimbabwe Constitution.”
