MIDWEEK REPORTER
HARARE-Linda Masarira, one of the few women political leaders and president of Labour Economists Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) has the media to cover all politicians fairly regardless of gender.
Speaking at an engagement workshop of editors, reporters and representatives of different political parties in Harare organized by Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe, Masaraira said sometimes the media houses focus much on the negatives and end up being biased against women political leaders.
“There is lot of gender bias in terms of coverage, the media sideline women and give more space to male politicians,” said Masarira.
She also accused journalists that they only care for women when they are involved in sex scandals.
“Our media only focuses on us when we have cases in court, when we are accused of scandals, when the media decides to cover us, they bury the story in the middle pages where a few can see it, we also want to be on page one,” lamented the 2018 presidential candidate.
Masarira said most of the coverage that women get from the media affect their social standing and peace in society.
“I feel like the media coverage we get as women destroys our social life, my marriage was destroyed because of the scandals that were published in the press, we want fair coverage for both men and women,” she said.
Masarira added that media is practising sexism rather than focusing on the ethics of journalism.
VMCZ board chairperson, Cris Chinaka said journalist these days are focusing on how to cover stories without misinformation and disinformation.
“We must recognize that the stories we are publishing should map how people fight misinformation and disinformation and report accurate information not people’ s personal bias,” said Chinaka.
The VMCZ organized a one day training workshop media indaba on Thursday last week, where editors, reporters, politicians and other stakeholders met to discuss issues on the performance of journalists.
The workshop also aimed to look into the legal environment, performance and welfare of journalists.
Award winning veteran journalist, Blessed Mhlanga who is the Heart and Soul TV editor revealed that politicians should let journalists do their work without lecturing them on what to write.
Mhlanga also said journalist write facts they do not invent stories.
“As journalist we write facts if a person is known for sex scandals, she is known for that we do not sugar coat,” said Mhlanga.
Different political party representatives, met editors from various media houses in Zimbabwe to discuss issues on how the media is covering these them.
The parties which were represented are CCC represented by Stephen Chuma, Zanu PF represented by Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle who is also the secretary for information, Christopher Mutsvangwa, Movement for Democratic Change represented by Chengetai Guta who is the director of information and LEAD represented by its president, Linda Masarira.
ZRP was also presented by its national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who also said they are enjoying cordial relations with the media through engagements organised by media organisations like VMCZ, ZUJ and MISA.
