Diligence, patriotism key to nation building, President tells media
Hosia Mviringi
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extoled journalists and the entire media fraternity to respect basic media ethics that include fair reporting without bias and love for one’s country.
The President was speaking in the first of his envisioned regular interactive addresses to the media as he, in his capacity as Head of State seeks to place the media in its rightful place as the fourth pillar of the state.
“Let me start by extending my warm greetings to you. This is the first of many interactive sessions I will have with you. As a member of the 4th estate I expect you to be unbiased, factual, accurate and patriotic as you discharge your duties in developing our country. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” said the President in a statement.
As can be admitted, the nation-building role of the media cannot be over emphasised.
It is through the media that the correct narrative about the country can be carried and projected. As such, Government recognises the nature of the pen as it represents a hammer which can either build or destroy a nation.
In contemporary times, anti-state actors and counter-revolutionaries have rode on unethical journalists and media houses to spread anti-Zimbabwe propaganda which has contributed to a larger extent to the current state of the economy through the extension of illegal economic sanctions.
One example that comes to mind of unethical and self-hating journalism is how some journalists like the Hopewell Chin’onos of this world have been used by external forces to denigrate the government and country, and to spread lies and half-truths about the country, all for love of the brown envelope.
Therefore, the President is urging Zimbabwean media practitioners to be responsible citizens who report factually and responsibly in a manner that does not contribute to reputation damage and brand impairment.
The media has a time to educate, inform and entertain the public. As such, it is a very powerful tool which if used carelessly can disempower people through misinformation and misrepresentation of facts.
As a matter of reality, the media has been guilty of fomenting civil strife and in some extreme instances genocides as in the regrettable Rwandan genocide of 1994.
It then goes without saying that a close cordial communicative relationship between Government and the media is imperative.
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