TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) has developed an election reporting manual meant to equip journalists on how to protect themselves during elections.
Zimbabwe will go to polls between July 26 and August 24, this year, according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Journalists play a critical role in gathering and disseminating news during elections.
But, it has become a difficult task for local journalists as some journalists have in the past been harassed, arrested or physically attacked in the course of their work.
Speaking during a meeting with journalists in Bulawayo last week, VMCZ programmes officer, Caroline Kuhudzai said the organisation has noted that with each election cycle there are new journalists who have not covered elections before.
“And our target is for those journalists specially to train them on how they can cover elections,” Kuhudzai said.
She said VMCZ has developed an election training manual which deals with the safety and security of journalists.
“It also talks of ethics, the legal framework surrounding elections and what they should be aware of.”
The Bulawayo training followed another one on the safety and security of journalists during election coverage, held in the capital Harare, which was organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), in collaboration with WAN-IFRA Women in News.
In Harare, Kenya-based media consultant, David Aduda, was the training facilitator.
Journalists in Bulawayo also held a meeting with senior police officers led by Bulawayo Provincial Commander Commissioner Patson Nyabadza in in a bid to strengthen relations.
Speaking during the meeting, police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi said:”As we move towards the 2023 elections, there are people who will come to the media and some will raise genuine issues but some will exaggerate”.
During the meeting, ZUJ secretary general Perfect Hlongwane raised the red flag saying journalists’ safety was threatened mostly at political rallies.
“There is the issue of accreditation. There are times when journalists are targeted because of who they work for. The press card shows that this is a journalist from which media organisation. At least if ZMC can just accredit without the tags it would be better,” he said.
He added that media unions are also in the process of engaging political parties considering the role their members play in threatening the work of journalists.
Meanwhile, women legislators in Bulawayo have come up with a programme to assist aspiring females who want to participate in the forthcoming elections either as MPs or councillors.
“As female politicians we have programmes in place mentoring young women who aspire to be politicians. And every female MP in Bulawayo is involved,” Stella Ndlovu, the legislator for Luveve constituency said.
She added: “I have five young female politicians who will be running for office in the upcoming elections.”
Pumula MP lawmaker Sichelesile Mahlangu weighed in saying: “We have mentorship programmes for young women that will help them be able to participate in elections. We are heading for primaries. So, we expect some of the young women under the mentorship programme to enter the race. We don’t expect them to withdraw from the race.”
