ZEC Chairperson, Rita Makarau, told journalist in Harare today that with the proclamation of the election date sections of the Electoral Act dealing with the conduct of the media have become operational.
“The law has placed your conduct under the surveillance of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,” she said.
“Section 160k of the Act provides that the Commission, with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, shall monitor the news media during any election period to ensure that political parties, candidates, broadcasters, print publishers and journalists observe the law relating to media coverage of elections,” added Makarau.
She said the Act compelled the media to treat all political parties and candidates equitably giving each political party and candidate the right to fair and equal access to the media, both public and private.
According to the law, a broadcaster or a print publisher shall not be obliged to publish any advertisement by or on behalf of any party but if it does so then it must extend the same opportunity, on the same terms and conditions, to all parties and candidates.
“Public broadcaster must afford all political parties and independent candidates free access to broadcasting services as prescribed in the regulations,” Makarau said, adding that all media houses must ensure that their news, current affairs programmes or features relating to the election are presented in a balanced, fair and accurate manner.
“Where it has been highlighted that your stories may be inaccurate, I hope that in conformity with the law, you shall give the offended party or candidate the right of reply and that right is given equal if not greater coverage than the inaccurate story,” she said.
She said those caught on the wrong side of the law would be made to appear before the commission. The ZEC boss condemned persecution of journalists during the election period.
The commission’s Deputy Chairperson, Joyce Kazemb told journalists during the same media briefing that the conduct of the security forces was under discussion at the commission.
“One of the parties has written to ZEC highlighting concerns about the actions of the country’s security forces. I can’t come out at the moment and say how ZEC is going to address this issue because it is a matter under discussion,” Kazembe said.
Security forces have been condemned for harassing journalists.
Post published in: News