Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has issued a scathing statement condemning what it calls an alarming rise in slanderous and unethical reporting, particularly targeting national leadership.
The strongly worded rebuke follows a controversial article published by NewsDay that the ZMC claims attacked the personality of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and was riddled with falsehoods.
The commission expressed deep concern over the alleged spread of misinformation, which it warned undermines Zimbabwe’s democratic foundations and threatens national cohesion.
The ZMC emphasized that while media freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, it must be exercised responsibly, with strict adherence to journalistic ethics and standards.
“The Zimbabwe Media Commission has noted with growing concern the publication of slanderous and disrespectful content aimed at undermining national leadership. The reckless reporting weakens national cohesion, distorts the truth, and misleads the public, posing a grave threat to the foundational values of our democracy,” the statement read.
The commission specifically cited the NewsDay article as an example of what it termed “irresponsible and inflammatory journalism.”
According to the ZMC, the story not only contained unverified and malicious allegations against President Mnangagwa but also failed to meet basic standards of accuracy and fairness.
“This kind of reckless reporting, as exemplified by the NewsDay article, jeopardizes the strides Zimbabwe has made in fostering an environment conducive to open and constructive discourse. It is a blatant abuse of the freedoms afforded to the press and a stain on the credibility of the journalistic profession,” the ZMC stated.
The ZMC reaffirmed its role as the custodian of media ethics and standards, reiterating its commitment to promoting a free yet responsible media environment.
The commission warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive measures against media houses or journalists who violate ethical codes.
“To this end, we strongly remind media practitioners that their role is to inform the public responsibly and truthfully. Sensationalism and personal attacks have no place in our media landscape. Irresponsible reporting erodes public trust and threatens social stability,” the statement read.
The commission urged journalists and media outlets to reflect on their critical role in shaping an informed citizenry and fostering national unity.
It called on all stakeholders in the media industry to recommit to the principles of truth, fairness, and accountability.
“As the Commission continues to assess media conduct, we emphasize that actions flagrantly contravening journalistic ethics will not go unaddressed. The time is approaching when such violations will be met with swift and appropriate consequences,” it warned.
The commission encouraged the media to uphold the dignity of the profession, emphasizing the importance of constructive reporting in supporting national development and democratic processes.
