Tsvangirai has formally complained to South African President Jacob Zuma that Zanu (PF) continued to flout the Global Political Agreement that gave birth to the unity government.
Television and radio producers at ZBC said they were being forced to interview specially selected Zanu (PF) officials.
“Every time we are ordered to re-write scripts that seem to be objective on the Prime Minister. We are being given orders by the editorial team that Tsvangirai should never be given positive coverage,” said a senior radio news producer, who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.
“Zanu (PF) propagandists like Jonathan Kadzura, Goodson Nguni nd Chris Mutsvangwa among others are called for staged interviews on radio and television, and we are not given the chance to ask them questions. Everything is prepared for us by the editors,” said the news producer.
A senior reporter from the Herald who also declined to be named said: “We have been reduced to secretaries of Zanu (PF) politicians, and we are no longer journalists. Most of the reporters are frustrated with the system and given a chance will be glad to leave.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, has previously said the continued pro Zanu (PF) partisanship of the state media is against the spirit of the inclusive government.
“Prime Minister Tsvangirai is the head of government because he formulates, supervises and implements government policies in the inclusive government. The PM has been straight forward. He has issued a number of statements complaining about this issue,” said Tamborinyoka.
ZBC and the Herald are reportedly acting on orders from the Ministry of Information and Publicity, which is under the stewardship of Mugabe’s favourites -Webster Shamu, and chief propagandist George Charamba. – Tony Saxon
Post published in: News