I went to buy The Zimbabwean On Sunday and while still at the shops was advised the power had gone off at home. This was early evening so I decided to go to a sports club across the road and renew acquaintances and look through the paper as the area still had electricity.
A patron stood at the entrance to the cocktail bar and quickly surveyed the place. He walked straight to where I sat alone and managed a cursory Yes mudhara. Moving nearer to read the paper, he advised: Its not good to read papers with news that make you angry.
Without thinking, I said: Well, supposing the news doesnt make me angry? He mumbled something inaudible and left as fast as he had appeared. I was going to ask him just what makes him imagine the news I was reading would make me angry and probably whether it was his business to worry about my temper or emotions.
There is no prize for guessing the type of person who could appear to be concerned about what other people read — and worry about its effects. One wonders how often he dishes out his unsolicited advice. Hasnt it been said that in certain parts of Zimbabwe or under certain circumstances, his type often do a lot more than just advise.
Next time you are at your favourite watering-hole, watch not only your big mouth but what you read because Big Brothers deep-set eyes will be watching you while his big, flapping ears will be set to hear what you are saying.
So some people get angry when they read or see publications like The Zimbabwean on Tuesday or see someone reading it. Yet there are so few such publications, let alone broadcast stations. Will they ever know how much more angry other people get when they read, hear or see the type of news in the official media day and night, in virtually all the main languages of Zimbabwe?
Personally I would like them to know that I do not get just angry but (begging your pardon) bloody furious at the diatribe nauseatingly churned out by an array of so-called commentators, analysts or specialists who are unashamed Zanu (PF) apologists. Are were supposed to believe that laws like AIPA, POSA and the Broadcasting Services Act are meant to save us from subjecting ourselves to news and information that can make us angry? Lets hope the day is not far off when there will be more sources of news and information that will make certain people angry. That will be the day.
Post published in: Opinions