Predictably, the Zanu (PF) propaganda machinery has gone full throttle to make a box-office production of the outcome of the recent British parliamentary elections. Britain has found itself in exactly the same position as Zimbabwe was after inconclusive general elections in March 2008. (Pi
Please welcome the director of the production, top spin doctor Professor Jonathan Moyo, as he speaks through The Sunday Mail, (May 9-15 2010) one of the many media outlets at his disposal.
The aftermath of the British election and the senseless wrangling in the MDC-T are God-sent events, he declares. Not only are most Zimbabweans Zanu (PF) at heart but some compelling developments in our body politic point to the real possibility that even God may also be Zanu (PF).
As he sees it, this same God might also be repeatedly telling [British Prime Minister] Gordon Brownthat what is good for the geese is good for the gander.
Zanu (PF)s failures are a necessary political expression of correctable weaknesses that are commonplace, he rationalises.
Then, in characteristically intemperate language, the prof. criticizes Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, his party, and Ministers Tendai Biti and Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro for their contradictory statements over civil service salary freeze. He rounds off his diatribe with a personal attack on Deputy PM Thokozani Khupe, who seems to be preoccupied with what she wears rather than what Zimbabwe needs to survive.
The inclusive government agreement states categorically that the private and public media shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred. The public media, it adds, must reflect the expected new order. In this connection, media and broadcasting commissions have been established.
Which raises the question: When will the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Commission make the Zanu (PF)-controlled but so-called public media abide by the terms of the inclusive government?
With due respect it is wishful thinking to expect Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamunever mind what he says–to be in any particular hurry to introduce legislation that will change the attitude of the bigoted policymakers responsible for the media (as in most of the other fields).
Anyone who wants evidence of a representative reflection of how beautifully the coalition government is working out need look no further than the human rights situation, the rule of law, and the media scene. For our immediate purposes, the public media, both print and electronic (that is, the Zimpapers publications and ZBC radio and television), continue to be under the firm grip of Zanu (PF).
On May 3 Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in marking press freedom day, with some over-zealous, unrepentant Zanu (PF) police chiefs trying to prevent the event from being celebrated in their areas. Will 2011 see celebrations of real press freedom in Zimbabwe?
Editors Note: ?Tim Nyahunzvi is a retired media and communication trainer.
Post published in: Opinions