SHARON NYAYA
MBERENGWA-The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme with funding from France held a media workshop to empower journalists on electoral processes.
The two day workshop which was held in Mutare was also attended by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which runs the elections in the country.
They also participated in the BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections)Media and Elections Module.
 Godwin Phiri, ZMC Executive Secretary expressed gratitude to the funders as the internationally acclaimed BRIDGE program would go a long way in empowering the fourth estate in their line of duty.
It is a modular professional development program with a particular focus on electoral processes. BRIDGE represents a unique initiative where five leading organisations in the democracy and governance field have jointly committed to developing, implementing and maintaining the most comprehensive curriculum and workshop package available, designed to be used as a tool within a broader capacity development framework. (www.bridge-project.org/)
Phiri added that the workshop was aimed at enhancing the capacity of organizations, institutions and practitioners working within media and elections with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve, particularly reportage and understanding of electoral processes.
The workshop gave birth to Zimbabwe Elections Journalists Association (ZEJA), that will work with journalists on latest developments, dos and don’ts, refresher trainings, capacitation and sharing of ideas from different journalists in all corners of Zimbabwe on all stages of elections pre-, during and post that is well vexed with the electoral cycle, electoral laws and processes.
Nicole Jamu ZEJA interim chairperson paid tribute to the facilitators for a fruitful workshop and implored the media to uphold the duty of care and responsibility in election reportage. She added that, legal framework on responsible journalism builds integrity and ethical values.
“Previous elections were held peacefully but as journalists we somehow lacked that framework that will provide guidelines. I hope all journalists will comprehend, feel entitled and encouraged to be part of this and give their contribution to the development of our democracy in Zimbabwe,” remarked Jamu
Tomsie Dlamini was the BRIDGE facilitator and awarded certificates of participation to the journalists at the end of the workshop.
