Prudent public sector information management is critical to the proper functioning of government and quasi-State institutions.
But more often than not, this vital area is hugely neglected by most public officials who believe that the best way to conduct government business is by hiding information which is in the public interest.
These government information handlers, including spin doctors in this country, are often exposed when they have to respond to a major crisis or instances where the public is looking for answers and not reticence.
The death of General Solomon Mujuru in a fire this week is a major test for information handlers in government.
On Wednesday the first major pronouncement on the issue came from the late General’s widow, Acting President Joice Mujuru, who implored the people to stop making wild statements on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy that has befallen her family.
The VP told mourners gathered at her residence that God would provide an answer to the tragedy. Her party has resolved to gag all members and has given the task of commenting on the issue to spokesman Rugare Gumbo.
And more worryingly, Zanu PF chairman Simon Khaya Moyo attacked the media for what he called irresponsible reporting on the death of Mujuru.
His discomfort with the media stems from questions which have been raised surrounding Mujuru’s death.
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This, the party chairman feels, is irresponsible journalism which negates the freedoms which General Mujuru fought for.
Public information handlers struggling to explain themselves out of a crisis often find it easy to accuse the media of irresponsible journalism.
This is poor PR. Attempts to recruit the media into a PR exercise that thrives on secrecy and silence will always fail, especially in instances where the public is clamouring for answers.
The death of General Mujuru has set tongues wagging. He was a man who commanded the respect of many.
He is a people’s hero and millions want to know what happened to their idol.
There is a large investigation taking place at the moment involving the police and other security arms of the State.
This alone says a lot about this incident. It is not just an ordinary death which is quickly forgotten. It is a tragedy that has prompted national debate and the media have a role to capture the discourse.
History has taught Zimbabweans that their rulers are not always forthcoming with information to explain mysterious deaths of high- profile people.
In the absence of information that the public can rely on, there is a lot of healthy speculation, unhealthy rumour-mongering and, of course, lots of questions.
Questions should be answered and not glossed over and rumours should be annulled with accurate information.
The reason Harare is sometimes referred to as a rumour capital in Africa is largely because information flow is often stymied by the culture of secrecy which is pervasive in our government.
The death of General Mujuru presents a PR challenge to Zanu PF and the government. They cannot try to wriggle off the hook by throwing veiled threats at the media.
This is tantamount to trying to shut out national sentiment. News is not about feel-good issues or cheap propaganda which officious PR outlets would want to ventilate. It is about the reality around us.
At the moment, the reality around us is not good. What will mollify the General’s legions of supporters are answers. We wait to hear from Gumbo.
