To ourselves as others see us is one of the basic wishes of most human beings. It is in this context that I am responding to “open letter” to various media stakeholders from Dr Munyaradzi Kereke, a respected technocrat, advisor to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Dr Gideon Gono and prominent farmer.
Going through this very lengthy letter one gleans the impression that this is the outpouring of a deeply aggrieved person who having exhausted normal channels of seeking redress resorted to this extraordinary action in the hope that if none of the specifically targeted stakeholders are in a position to help him on his grievances at least he would get public sympathy.
Let me make it clear from the outset that I hold no brief for the Standard newspaper, its editors or publishers nor do I seek to cast aspersions on the gooname of the doctor. My main concern is to profer advice to Kereke and find a way out of this controversy.
Some honest broker must be found who can bring the Standard Newspaper and Munyaradzi Kereke together in the interest of transparency, openness and fair play and that honest broker is of cause the Media complaints committee of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe(VMCZ). The VMCZ exists as a forum of open, free, fair and democratic debate and discussion on all questions and answers affecting the journalism profession in this country. As a consequence, it makes rulings which are binding on the parties in dispute.
And the Standard is one of the newspapers which has signed up the principles of media self regulation and has subscribed to the VMCZ Code of conduct that promotes truthful, accurate, fair and democratic debate and discussion on all questions and answers affecting the journalism profession in this country. As a consequence, it makes rulings which are binding to the parties on despute.
And the Standard is one of the newspapers which has signed up to the principles of media self regulation and has subscribed to the VMCZ code of conduct that promotes truthful, accurate, fair and balanced news reporting. No fears therefore on the part of Kereke unburdening his problems and worries about the Standard and the later being given the opportunity to state its side of the story.
Kereke in his open letter refers to two cases calling them “real life cases” where Standard journalists subjected him to extortion and illegal entering his residential premises without his permission or knowledge in search of news. I submit that these are very serious allegations setting Kereke against the journalists from the Standard. It has become Kereke versus the Standard. Not only that. The whole saga has spilled into journalistic community as a whole. This is most unfortunate.
Bornwell Chakaodza
Kereke sponsors one of the categories in the National Journalistic Awards (NJAMA) sending a clear message that he himself believes in the long cherished independency and freedom of the media and wishes to play a part in raising its professional and ethical standards.
Now bad blood exists between Kereke and the Zimbabwe Union of journalists (ZUJ). This is unfortunate. The general good relationship that is existing between sponsors and our profession should not be marred by a controversy such as the one we are experiencing. The fact that for the most part we believe in working together in the public interest as well as in the interest of the profession makes it important that our differences on any topical issue should be kept in perspective.
Truth is our ultimate goal. We believe that the duty of all journalists is to serve the truth. Journalists who use their professional status as representative of the public from selfish or other unworthy motives violate a high trust. In the same vein, the liberty of expression above all, that of the press cannot and should not be subordinated to personal interests of media sponsors and indeed anyone else. As a profession, we want our sponsors to continue being true partners in the National Journalistic Awards. We want our sponsors to always defend the news!
True, in the hands of journalists lies the ability and propensity to destroy reputations and lives. People in both high and low places must not consider themselves above criticism but they are entitled to expect that the facts or practices being reported be properly and truthfully represented. This is what VMCZ, board and its secretariat seeks to achieve.
In conclusion, the route to take in the Kereke/Standard saga as far as the good doctor’s open letter is concerned is adjudication of his complaints by VMCZ.
It is one of the major tasks of public bodies such as the VMCZ to bring individuals and institutions together and make rulings that are fair and in the interest of the parties in dispute. VMCZ neither policies nor prosecutes. It adjudicates period.
In any clash like the one involving the Standard and Munyaradzi Kereke, the real losers are the public, confused and misinformed by this and that. What is needed is an honest broker. The record must be set straight. Confidence and trust between Kereke and the journalistic community in Zimbabwe must be rekindled. I remain convinced myself about the power and ability of the VMCZ to adjudicate complaints fairly and effectively. In the end, ethical relationships in the pursuit of the highest standards of journalism are too important to let a scandal or controversy like the Kereke one to stand in the way.
By Bornwell Chakaodza
borncha@gmail.com
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