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SW Radio Africa: Traces of bias emerge?
Media Update # 2002/06 - extract
Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe
February 15, 2002

SW Radio Africa continued its election coverage and gave prominence to political violence and campaigns.

The role of the police in political violence was extensively covered. The station (4/02) during Newsreel, quoted an unidentified police officer who said that they were under instruction to protect ZANU PF supporters. In the same programme MDC MP Roy Bennet was used to buttress the claims made by the officer. Bennett said police officers who were professionally executing their responsibilities were being victimized by the state. He gave an example of a Lieutenant Nyahuni who was transferred for professionally doing his job.

During a call back programme, (5/02). Another police officer who only identified himself as Peter admitted that the police were failing to do their job, a situation that has prompted the MDC to take the law into their own hands. He added that this then provided ZANU PF with the opportunity to blame the MDC.

The presenter then read an e-mail written by a former police officer, which emphasized the fact the police were failing to do their job because of their loyalty to ZANU PF.

MDC secretary general Welshman Ncube (7/02) was quoted buttressing allegations that the police were biased in favour of ZANU PF. He stated that members of his party were being arrested without clear charges citing the arrest of two MDC MPs and several supporters in Nkayi. No comment was sought form the Police Commissioner or the Home Affairs ministry. However, despite this setback, the coverage is commendable analysis of the role of the police in the ongoing political violence gripping the country. Unlike ZBC, which relies on the police in its coverage of political violence, SW Radio Africa broadcast victims and eyewitness accounts.

On the 4th a teacher in Bulawayo was quoted relating how he was attacked on his way to work by the National Youth Service graduands. In the same Newsreel a caller also gave his account of inhuman treatment he was subjected to at roadblock allegedly mounted by ZANU PF supporters.

Interestingly, no single caller claimed to be affiliated to ZANU PF.

There is ample evidence of bias in favour of the MDC in the coverage. For example, coverage (4/02) of the MDC rally focused on its policies in detail, while the report on the Zanu PF rally the same day concentrated on the atmosphere at Mugabe's rally in Mutawatawa and negatively qualified some of his campaign statements. The presenter stated: "8000 people including school children at a ZANU PF stronghold, but people were not that enthusiastic except a group of cheer leaders". This was clearly meant to give the impression that Mugabe had lost support even in his stronghold.

The report also made reference to Mugabe's 20-vehicle motorcade, three helicopters and that people were forced to attend to give the picture that he was an extravagant leader. Mugabe's campaign speech was denigrated and the presenter added; "people did not believe it" without any substantiation of the claim.

Contrary to ZBC's coverage of ZANU PF rallies where Mugabe speeches are aired without analysis, SW Radio Africa made an effort to comment on some his remarks. In his address in Manicaland (8/02) Mugabe was quoted threatening the electorate with zvikwambos (goblins). The station analysed the underlying implications of the remark. Comment was sourced from members of the public.

The MEDIA UPDATE is produced and circulated by the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe, 15 Duthie Avenue, Alexandra Park, Harare, Tel/fax: 263 4 703702, E-mail: monitors@mweb.co.zw or advocacy@media-monitors.icon.co.zw
Send all queries and comments to the Project Coordinator. Also, please feel free to circulate this report. Previous copies of MMPZ reports can be accessed at http://www.icon.co.zw/mmpz

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