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Statement on the outrageous coverage of Archbishop Pius Ncube's case by the state media
MISA-Zimbabwe
July 18, 2007

Zimbabwe woke up on Tuesday 17 July and Wednesday 18 July to shocking reportage of the alleged adultery legal case involving Archbishop Pius Ncube of the Bulawayo Archdiocese. The coverage of the purported revelations and 'scoop' by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), The Chronicle and The Herald are an affront to ethical journalism and the principle of fair and balanced reporting especially as the matter is before the courts and therefore subjudice.

The state media has embarked on a parallel 'legal process' and persecution of the Archbishop an act which should be condemned as unacceptable from any media that intends to be respected and believed by society. The state media coverage of this case reinforces concerns that this media are used as political weapons against perceived enemies of Zimbabwe's ruling elite.

The showing of graphic pictures of the alleged moments of intimacy of parties allegedly involved in this matter smacks of an agenda far beyond normal journalistic reporting. The pictures which the state media claims prove the case against Archbishop Ncube are not only disrespectful of the legal processes underway but show a hidden agenda to tarnish the respected reputation and image of the Archbishop once and for all.

MISA-Zimbabwe expresses outrage at the disrespect and demeaning manner in which ZBC interviewed the alleged woman in this case. Laying siege and shoving microphones in front of people and asking personal questions on HIV-AIDS among others goes on to show the sensationalism upon which this matter was built and handled. MISA-Zimbabwe is reliably informed that questions to Archbishop Ncube started flowing from state media journalists who descended on Bulawayo for the 'kill' well before the court papers were served on him. This confirms fears that the state media, ZBC, The Chronicle and The Herald are at the fore front of being abused by security agents in wars against perceived enemies of the ruling elite. Graphic pictures shown by The Chronicle on Tuesday 17 July and Wednesday 18 July should be condemned out rightly as they are not only in bad taste but prove nothing beyond the agenda of embarrassing Archbishop Ncube and disrespecting the courts.

This case is yet another clear example of the abuse of the state media by those in power for political gains. It is reminiscent of the murder case of war veteran Cain Nkala in 2002 in which the security agents colluded with the state media to tarnish the alleged perpetrators of the murder well before the court case. Zimbabwe was shocked that after mounting such 'evidence' against the 'perpetrators' the courts found the accused innocent. It is this regard that MISA-Zimbabwe calls upon the state media to return to the fundamentals of the profession, introspect on their operations and serve society better.

MISA-Zimbabwe calls for the respect of the right to privacy of the parties involved in this matter. MISA-Zimbabwe further notes that the voice of Archbishop Ncube on the social, economic and political issues affecting Zimbabwe remains as strong and true as ever. His alleged personal scandals are between him, the courts and his god.

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