Concerns Mount over Biased Reporting and Hate Speech in Zimbabwe’s Election Media
The Southernlive-Media Monitoring Representative Mr. Darlington Zondo has raised concerns about the use of hate speech by state-owned media against opposing parties in the upcoming elections.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Living Institute and Crisis Coalition Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, Zondo emphasized that the state-owned media’s biased language indicates a clear agenda.
During the gathering, which brought together various civil society organizations to discuss the state of the impending elections in Zimbabwe, Zondo stated that it is inappropriate to label a political party as “confused cockroaches.”
He pointed out that hate speech continues to pervade election coverage, with many media outlets employing terms like “chaos,” “confusion,” and “disharmony,” particularly when reporting on issues related to other parties, specifically the CCC (Contesting Parties).
“We are aware of the continued use of hate speech in the coverage of the elections, with many media organizations using words like ‘Chaos,’ ‘confusion,’ and ‘disharmony,’ especially when reporting on issues related to other parties, specifically CCC,” said Zondo
Zondo stressed that the derogatory language must not find its way into state-owned media, as its extensive reach could potentially incite violence among the public. With the general elections scheduled for August 2nd, the scrutiny over the fairness and impartiality of news coverage has intensified.
“Observations reveal that only ZANU PF advertisements and jingles are prominently featured on Zimbabwean broadcast media, while other parties are conspicuously absent,” noted Zondo.
He further highlighted the stark contrast in coverage, where ZANU PF rallies enjoy up to five hours of live broadcasting, whereas CCC events are relegated to mere snippets.
Inequity in coverage extends to the neutral treatment of smaller parties, providing them with an objective platform. However, CCC struggles to secure opportunities to comment or respond within the media.
Zondo criticized the lack of fairness and balance, citing the scarcity of analysis from CCC or other opposition parties.
“Our reports indicate that ZANU PF enjoys a staggering 89% coverage, which inherently places other parties at a disadvantage,” added Zondo.
While highlighting the disparity in media coverage, Zondo called for the cultivation of a diverse and inclusive newsroom environment. He encouraged the practice of fact-checking, accountability, and active engagement with the audience to ensure that the media address the needs of the people.
Zondo expressed efforts to engage with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to promote equity but acknowledged that organizational limitations might hinder significant change.
In conclusion, Zondo underscored the need for fair and unbiased media coverage in the lead-up to the elections. His remarks shed light on the detrimental impact of hate speech and biased reporting on the democratic process.
As Zimbabwe prepares to elect the President and members of both houses of parliament, the media’s role in providing accurate and balanced information remains pivotal.
