IF there is one person who should be a fierce proponent of a free media and an advocate of plurality, then it should be President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
When, as Vice-President, Mnangagwa was kicked out by his boss the late former President Robert Mugabe in November, 2017, and was on the run, no one in the media was prepared to publish his story for fear of reprisals from the regime. The State-controlled media, in which Mnangagwa used to enjoy unlimited access, had the door sealed shut for him and his cronies.
Suddenly, he was, in the eyes of the public media, everything bad and like a leper. He was snubbed and only covered in extremely bad light in the few instances his story somehow made it to print.
In the few weeks that he was a fugitive in neighbouring South Africa, the only way he could tell his side of the story was through the independent media, specifically NewsDay.
It was the private media that gave him a voice when the regime sought to silence him, it gave him the platform to be heard.
It is now saddening that the same Mnangagwa, who was accorded space, not because he deserved it, but because it is the duty of the media to cover all and sundry, is now gagging Zanu PF members from airing their grievances in the very same private media.
That certainly is not the way to go Mr President.
Trying to silence disgruntled party activists and senior government officials is an affront to democracy and is tantamount to depriving them of fundamental freedoms they should enjoy, in this case the freedom of expression.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The independent media is not an enemy, but a partner for development and to help unify the country, unless of course, one’s motives are sinister. Zimbabwe’s verdant private media will expose you if that is the case!
For context Mr President, here are a few quotes from AMH Pledge: “Our pledge to those we serve is to seek the truth, deliver the facts and offer relevant context and analysis where appropriate.
“We will help Zimbabweans to talk to each other without fear or favour and, through robust engagement, help ensure a tolerant society by encouraging the celebration of our diversity.”
Here is a couple of nuggets from NewsDay’s Guiding Principles:
“NewsDay will provide a platform for Zimbabweans to talk to each other without fear or favour. Only through a robust engagement will Zimbabweans emerge from the current polarisation into a society characterised by high levels of tolerance.
And: “NewsDay will provide a platform on which Zimbabweans can express their dreams, fears and aspirations.”
The independent media serves Zimbabweans, Mnangagwa included. If he thinks he is doing the best he can and that his intentions are pure, he should leave the media to do its job and let the public court of opinion be the judge. Events of November 2017 should guide Mnangagwa to be a better person, a better leader and a serious advocate of freedoms of expression, media and media plurality.
Let the people speak!
