The adjectives that have gained common currency in some newspapers lately are nothing less than hate-speech, which should be deplored by all. We hold no brief for either the Mujuru nor the Mnangagwa camp. We know that when politicians fight among themselves, they are careless with their words. But that is no justification for the media to join them.
It is one thing reporting what is being said – which is indeed our mandate. But it is quite another when the newspaper itself uses such words to describe people they don’t support.
Grace Mugabe has been using words that have no place in any lady’s vocabulary. Of all the accusations have been flung about, nobody has been convict in a court of law for any offence – yet some newspapers have set themselves up as both prosecutor and judge – condemning certain individuals of treason and attempted murder.
Zanu (PF) politicians have chosen a whole array of denigrating and abusive words and phrases with which to assassinate one another’s characters. These include “weevil”, “gamatox”, “baby dumping”, “booted out”, “claims the scalp” and “ejected”.
There is a dangerous tendency among journalists to parrot the same words casually – never pausing to critically consider the symbolic messages they carry. These terms carry with them negative labels and have the potential to whip up emotions and cause violence.
The words, if used repeatedly as is being done in the state-controlled media, have the capacity to affect human behaviour. They can generate a culture of violence and can easily spawn conflict. If people become associated with certain labels like “weevil”, they are vulnerable to attacks in societies that are polarised.
This proved amply true in the Rwandan crisis that led to the deaths of millions. The media was complicit in the genocide because it used such words like “cockroach” in a systematic and sustained way. Those that carried the label of being “cockroaches” became targets for attacks and murder. This can easily repeat itself in Zimbabwe. There is a lot at stake among the politicians fighting for power.
Both the private and public media are to blame for carelessly using words, phrases and content that is hateful and capable of causing strife. Media watchdogs have a big task to perform in ensuring adherence to these principles. We also urge politicians to see the possible disastrous consequences of their actions and become more sober in their choice of words.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga