Television and radio producers at ZBC said they were being forced to interview Zanu (PF) officials selected by the editors.
“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 and 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. In fact these politicians come to tell the nation on TV and Radio what they want people to hear,” 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 would be glad to leave.”
ZBC and the Herald are reportedly acting on orders from the Ministry of Information and Publicity, which is under the stewardship of President Mugabe’s favourites -Webster Shamu, and chief propagandist George Charamba.
Post published in: News