The media rights group has engaged veteran journalist Bill Saidi to go around the country delivering lectures and conducting workshops for practicing journalists. Addressing the Bulawayo Walkers Press Club more than a week ago, Saidi, who is a former editor in both the government and privately-owned media, reminded journalists of the key role they have to play in the countrys transition process, including during the drafting of a new constitution.
He said: Journalists have an important role to play in the development of our country. We should make sure to uphold the principle of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and even attend view gathering sessions in the upcoming constitution process not only as citizens but also ask people if they understand what the constitution is. Saidi also urged media employers to improve pay and working conditions for journalists who he said were often underpaid.
The MISA programme comes amid calls for an exercise to reorient the media after a decade of political divisions in the country that saw journalism ethics largely compromised as many editors and their reporters became participants in the story instead of restricting themselves to the traditional role of neutral observer.
Post published in: News