Approach ZMC, VMCZ for redress: MAZ
STAFF REPORTER
A network of media associations has urged those aggrieved by the reportage of journalists to lodge complaints with the Zimbabwe Media Commission or the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe for redress.
The call by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) yesterday comes after a social media user attacked “reckless journalist” for repeating “defamatory statements” following the airing of the Al Jazeera documentary on alleged gold smuggling and money laundering.
In a tweet, one Tinoedza Zvimwe, said: “Friendly advice to all reckless journalists: Al Jazeera is not a court of law before whose claims impart privileges to defamatory utterances. It is merely some weaponised channel. If you are reckless enough to repeat what it’s phony documentary defamatorily says, hoping to plead: “I heard/saw it on Al Jazeera, you will be sorry for yourself. Do not for once think there is no grit to act against reckless, defamatory and politically motivated journalism. Faceless Twitter names egging you on, will not be a factor when brickbats come. Be warned!”
MAZ said threats against journalists have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
The threats, MAZ said, “instill fear and self-censorship” among journalists, thereby compromising the citizens’ right to access to information as provided for by the Constitution of which the media plays a critical role in the advancement and enjoyment of that right.
“Statements that seek to silence journalists go against the reform trajectory that the government has been undertaking, which has seen the outlawing of criminal defamation and adoption by Cabinet of the principle of co-regulation and acknowledgement of the existence of internal remedies to address grievances against the media,” MAZ said, urging journalists to be “professional in its conduct as required by the codes and ethics of the profession through accurate, fair and balanced reportage which does not harm the dignity and integrity of individuals”.
“The media in its professional conduct, should always be mindful that in terms of Section 86 of the Constitution (limitation of rights and freedoms), media freedom should be exercised reasonably and with due regard for the rights and freedoms of other persons.”
MAZ is a network of nine media professional associations and support organisations. Its members are the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, the Zimbabwe National Editors
Forum, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe), Enhancing Community Voices, Media Centre, Gender and Media Connect, Media Monitors, the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations.
