JOURNALISTS have been urged to avoid risky assignments and exposing themselves to volatile political gatherings ahead of harmonised elections this year.
REPORT BY STAFF REPORTER
Addressing journalists at a Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe-organised training workshop in Bulawayo last week, Misa-Zimbabwe senior programmes officer Nyasha Nyakunu said journalists were at risk of attacks ahead of elections, hence the need to be cautious.
“After the advent of the inclusive government, there were a few cases of attacks on journalists, but since the announcement of election dates, the attacks are beginning to increase,” Nyakunu said.
“We are now worried because of the cases, including the attack on Herbert Moyo (Zimbabwe Independent) and Mashudu Netsianda of Chronicle.
“It is the severity of cases that is worrying like the incident where a journalist in Chinhoyi was severely beaten up.
“Let’s stay safe. There is no story worth dying for and there is no politician worth dying for.”
Last week, journalists from the independent media were only rescued from further harassment at the hands of Zanu PF functionaries by Media, Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu Wendy Muperi, a Daily News reporter, and Wonai Masvingise, of NewsDay, were briefly detained as they covered a demonstration by disgruntled Zanu PF supporters protesting against the alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the party primary elections tomorrow.
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Zimbabwe Independent editor Dumisani Mleya, who was the facilitator at the media workshop, also urged journalists to adhere to ethics and to read and understand laws to do with elections in the country.
