Siphakeme .Mnindwa
THE Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has condemned the increasing prevalence of slanderous and disrespectful content in the media, which it believes undermines national leadership, distorts the truth, and misleads the public.
This also poses a significant threat to the foundational values of democracy in Zimbabwe.
The ZMC emphasised that while freedom of the media and freedom of expression are essential components of a democratic society, these freedoms come with responsibilities. In a statement, the commission said journalistic integrity, accuracy, and accountability are paramount, and media practitioners must adhere to these principles to maintain credibility.
“The commission recognises that freedom of the media and freedom of expression are indispensable pillars of a democratic society . . . However, with these freedoms come responsibility, chief among them being the obligation of the media to adhere to the principles of journalistic integrity, accuracy, and accountability. The dissemination of false, malicious, and inflammatory stories erodes public trust in the media and jeopardises the progress we have made in fostering an environment conducive to open discourse,” reads the statement.
As the guardian of media standards and ethics, ZMC reiterated its commitment to promoting and protecting media freedom while ensuring adherence to professionalism. It urged media houses and practitioners to prioritise factual accuracy and avoid sensational reporting.
“To this end, we strongly remind media houses and practitioners that their role is not only to report the news but to do so responsibly and truthfully. Irresponsible reporting that prioritises sensationalism over factual accuracy or personal attacks over constructive dialogue has no place in our media landscape.”
The Commission has for long been actively working to cultivate a media environment that informs citizens, contributes to national development, and strengthens democratic processes.
ZMC said that it is dedicated to monitoring media conduct and has called upon all stakeholders to reflect on their roles in shaping an informed citizenry and promoting social stability. It warned that actions contravening journalistic ethics will be met with decisive measures and called upon all media professionals to recommit to the principles of truth, fairness, and responsibility, emphasising the importance of preserving the dignity of the profession and contributing to a cohesive and democratic Zimbabwe.
