Fake news journo in foiled attempt to blackmail First Lady
Staff Writer
Simba Chikanza, who leads ZimEye a fake news outlet is under scrutiny after breaching journalism ethics in trying to force the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to grant him an interview on issues outside her purview.
According to a statement by Director Information Services in the Office of the First Lady Mrs Kudzai Gumbo, Chikanza who is notorious for unscrupulous journalism methods, reportedly called the First Lady and made a request for information.
Mrs Gumbo said First Lady took time to explain to the United Kingdom based Chikanza that she could not offer him any comments or assistance.
Chikanza is now threatening to release a recording of the conversation which was given off the record, just for the him to understand context, trying to force the first lady to speak on matters that are not part of her briefing.
“The First Lady spoke to Simba Chikanza off the record, which is a journalism standard and ethical rule that allows the proposed interviewee, Mai Mnangagwa, an opportunity to speak with journalists giving them context to issues and why she can’t speak on them,” Mrs Gumbo said.
Mrs Gumbo said Chakanza is trying to abuse the First Lady`s cordial relations with the media.
“It is a tragic and terrible ethical breach of journalism for Simba Chikanza to then blackmail the First Lady publicly, demanding that she gives him an interview based on a threat to release an off the record conversation. The First Lady has always been available to speak to journalists
because she understands her obligatory role and functions to the Nation,” said Mrs Gumbo.
“The First Lady also understands that she needs to allow journalists to do their work professionally by being available when they need information related to her role and functions.
However, it is unprofessional for journalists to force her to speak on issues which she has no authority to speak on, especially after she has explained in an off the record conversation why she can’t do so,” added Mrs Gumbo.
This is not the first time that Chikanza has tried to use dirty tactics to get content, he has in the past called different Government officials under false pretense seeking to quote them out of context.
Media experts say Chikanza`s style of journalism falls short of what is considered professional media practice as it borders on criminal behaviour.
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