Minister Mutsvangwa orders fair coverage of all po...

Minister Mutsvangwa orders fair coverage of all political parties in state media

Media coverage quality is a key determinant of a free and fair election

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa says media houses must cover all political parties fairly and objectively and implied that state media editors self-censor.

Seemingly blaming state media editors for biased coverage, Minister Mustvangwa said the Government’s policy is for the media, particularly state media to communicate information regardless of political affiliation adding that a media blackout on political parties is an editor’s decision.

She said this while addressing a Media and Elections Reporting Workshop in Kadoma today

She said media houses should provide equal coverage to all political parties in line with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one behind and should communicate information that promotes peace and tolerance.

MDC Alliance’s Paulina Mupariwa said her party would like to see the media reporting freely and professionally.

Citizens for Coalition Change secretary general, Mr Charlton Hwende said the media should play fair with all parties.

Zanu PF Information and Publicity Secretary Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said his party was advocating for peaceful polls during the 2023 harmonised elections.

Zimbabweans and the rest of the world will now be watching to see if state media complies with Minister Mutsvangwa’s directive.

Zimbabwe has a polarised mainstream media landscape with the political affiliation of media houses blatantly exposed in editorial policies.

State linked media tends to black out any anti Zanu PF politics and only covers opposition parties when there is a negative angle.

Some privately owned media houses are on the opposite side, seeing no evil in opposition politics and only bringing Zanu PF to the table for unrelenting bashing.

With the 2023 elections approaching, coverage of political parties by public media will be one of the key measures of whether the poll process was credible, free and fair.

The workshop was organised by Zimbabwe Institute and representatives from different media organisations as well as all political parties with representatives in parliament were invited.

Zimbabwe Institute is an independent political think tank working with various stakeholders to facilitate political dialogue, consensus building and policy development in Zimbabwe according to participatory democratic principles.