By Dumisani Ndlovu
Journalists in Zimbabwe are undergoing election training in a bid to see scribes promoting peace, before, during and after the August 23 elections.
Zimbabwe Media Commission concerned about the conduct of journalists in promoting peace, free and fair polls. ZMC which is being supported by United-Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) is on records saying the commission is targeting to train about 1000 journalists nationwide.
Giving opening remarks at the training workshop, Zimbabwe Media commission (ZMC) in Gweru, Professor Rubby Magosvongwe said the workshop was designed to equip media personnel with skills to improve coverage of polls.
“Informed by its strategic plan of action 2023, Zimbabwe Media Commission took deliberate purported steps aimed at ensuring that the media played its role effectively and more professional at the upcoming harmonized elections,” she said.
Prof. Magosvongwe said they have put in place measures to protect the journalists from harassment and threats prior to the August 23 harmonised elections.
‘We have come up with press jackets so that, our journalists can be easily recognized, hence I want to encourage every journalist to wear their press jackets when covering diaries so that they avoid being harassed and threatened during their line of duty,” Prof Magosvongwe said.
The ZMC has developed a set of comprehensive safety guidelines specifically addressing the unique challenges faced by journalists during elections.
These guidelines outline best practices for pre-election preparation, on-the-ground safety measures, handling sensitive information, and responding to potential threats.
Political parties are already doing massive campaigns throughout the country in preparation for elections.
Journalists from both private and public media are participating in the workshop. The attendees are from media houses in Gweru in the Midlands Province.
Zimbabwe Media Commission has organized the training and seasoned journalists and Publisher and Editor Chipo Gudhe and Rammington Jarijari are conducting the training in different districts of the Midlands Province.
Journalists are being equipped with skills for covering the cycle of an election.
The media has been challenged to provide citizens with adequate information so that the electorate can make informed decisions as they vote.
Journalists are also being equipped with skills of how they need to protect themselves in covering volatile situations.
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