Opinions On The Zimbabwean Media Sought

Zimbabwe Journalists Arise invites all journalists, activists, organizations, who have ideas or thoughts on the state of the Zimbabwean media, to send in their articles for publication on our blog. Articles should go beyond the obvious problems of the media in our country, but should focus on views from a special interest group on how best journos can cover their activities, the good, the bad and the ugly. Some of the areas can be human rights, Aids, the economy etc, the list is endless.

Political parties are welcome with their observations, complaints etc. So guys let those articles start rolling in, pictures are welcome and a brief summary of the interests you represent would be welcome. We will try to keep most articles as they are, although the Editor of the blog reserves the right to edit material on the basis of length and clarity.
Thank you

CADEGO Urges Zimbabwe Media To Penetrate Rural Areas

By CADEGO National Co-ordinator Farai Muguwu
Farayi Muguwa is the National Co-ordinator of the Civic Alliance For Good Gvernance, which is a Mutare based NGO. It mission is to promote good governance through advocacy and lobby meetings, community training workshops, Fliers, Newsletters and mass mobilization. CADEGO is represented in every community by volunteer committees, which report to the national coordinating committee on issues pertaining to democracy and good governance. CADEGO also work with churches, political parties and local governments to have its message reach a wider audience. Mr Muguwu is also a prominent political analyst who is regularly sought after for interviews in the media

Dear Zimbabwean Journalists

In my view i think the Zimbabwean media has responded with great courage and determination to the challenges facing Zimbabwe today. That democracy is still a dream to be realised is largely due to the stubornness and insensitivity of the Zimbabwean government.

Creative initiatives such as zimbabwe journalists arise, studio 7 Voice of America, Shortwave radio, Newzimbabwe.com, the Zimbabwean and many others are a testimony that the media has managed to circumvent the legal obstacles existing in Zimbabwe today. However, the media can do more to hasten the day when a new Zimbabwe can become a reality.

The media must continue to give the people a voice to critique government policies and express their feelings. As more and more people continue to speek their views the culture of fear will be eventually broken. The media must not only concentrate on urban areas but must explore rural Zimbabwe where the greatest poverty is of information. Rural people are starved of information and yet we blame them for letting the nation down. When these people suffer human rights abuses the media must give them a voice of solidarity and encourage them to stand up for their rights. because few journalists dare investigate what happens in Honde Valley or Nyamapanda rural people feel like they are disconnected from whats happening in Zimbabwe.

They are forced to comply with what they dont believe in because they have no voice to say no. Let us open up rural Zimbabwe through media coverage.

Finally lets remain focussed. The crisis in Zimbabwe today is a crisis of governance. Its not about Britain trying to recolonise Zimbabwe. The media must point people to the real problem: that of misgovernance and poor leadership. The point must be clear that we are being poorly governed and as a result our beautiful country lie in ruins.

At CADEGO we have held several leadership workshops with traditional leaders in Makoni West, Mutasa South and Mutare South constituencies. We have made it very clear that a good leadership is key to development. We have pointed out the human rights abuses committed by some traditional leaders to suppress opposition supporters in Zimbabwe. We have defied POSA because it is an unjuat law. We dont seek police clearance because they denied us the first time we sought it for our traditional leaders workshop held at Chiware Business Center in Rusape.

We just organise our events as if POSA is not there. This is our approach and we persuade all democratic forces in Zimbabwe to defy unjust laws that contradict natural law. We invite you to cover our workshops if you have time to do so.

Our victory over the dictatorship is nearer now than when the struggle began.