The MDC parties will be making a serious error if they agree to participate in the next elections before meaningful reforms have been implemented to make the electronic media non-partisan. This is one area which Zanu (PF) is determined to keep closed to all other political parties. Information is power, and the ZBC channels are actively involved in spewing obnoxious Zanu (PF) propaganda literally every few minutes.
It is true that many people now own satelite dishes that enable them to escape the ZBC–Zanu (PF) onslaught, but there are still many who cannot afford these liberating gadgets and have no choice but to watch ZBC-TV. It is these people who are subjected to what Zanu (PF) decides they should hear and watch, and most of it is trash. Coverage of MDC or any other political party’s activities is only undertaken when they are negative. As a result, the people sometimes ask, why is the MDC so quiet these days? What is the party doing about the looting of diamonds by Zanu (PF) thieves? Some people are now concerned that the formation of the so-called government of national unity may have muzzled the MDC to such a severe extent that it has been swallowed by Zanu (PF).
Electoral legislation provides that during election campaigns, the national broadcaster is required to ensure that it provides equal time to all political parties wishing to inform the electorate about their proposed policies, manifestos and other information. Experience has taught us that the ZBC has consistently violated all such legislation on behalf of Zanu (PF). It would be a high level of naivety on our part to assume that the same evil practice will not recur come elections 2013. It is time for the MDC formations to demand the requisite reforms in the electronic media while there is still time. The SADC and the AU cannot be expected to come to Zimbabwe and demand that media reforms be implemented.
It is my considered view that an outfit like the ZBC needs to be placed under the leadership of a board comprising representatives of all the three political parties in the current legislature. This board must direct all the operations of the ZBC channels. Indeed, this will mean the dismissal of the current ZBC Board, which is entirely a Zanu (PF) affair. The former liberation movement will obviously resist any such moves, but this will have to be insisted upon if all political parties are to receive adequate and equal coverage on the airwaves in the next elections.
I challenge the negotiators, Jomic and other relevant structures of the GNU to tackle this urgent problem very seriously for the benefit of our nation. We cannot allow one political party to continue to bombard the electorate with its sick propaganda both now and during the campaigning period. In fact, the MDC formations should make electronic media reforms one of the preconditions for participating in the next elections. Failure to do this will be tantamount to subjecting our people to serious levels of misinformation and sick propaganda. – makumbe60@gmail.com
Post published in: Analysis