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Activity
report and outstanding media complaints report
Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe
October 05, 2011
Provincial Meetings
The VMCZ met with media stakeholders and civil society organisations
in Kwekwe, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mutare between 22 and 24 September
2011. The meetings successfully re-affirmed commitment by stakeholders
to the principle of media self regulation after discussing Zimbabwe's
media regulation context as well developments in other parts of
the world. Other key outcomes of the meeting included discussions
about the necessity of increasing public knowledge of the Media
Complaints Committee as well as the principle of self regulation.
It was also generally agreed that the VMCZ should continue to engage
the Zimbabwe Media Commission on matters relating to media self
regulation and on the repealing of AIPPA.
VMCZ
meeting with the Zimbabwe Media Commission
On Tuesday September 27 the VMCZ met with the Chairman of the Zimbabwe
Media Commission (ZMC), Mr Majonga. The head of the delegation to
meet Commissioner Majonga was the VMCZ Vice Chairperson, Mr. Bornwell
Chakaodza. Also present at the meeting were Commissioner Chris Mhike,
the VMCZ Director, Mr. Takura Zhangazha and Mr. Chinamora from the
ZMC secretariat. The outcomes of the meeting were fourfold:
a) That the VMCZ and the ZMC should continue engagement on matters
related to policies around media self regulation.
b) That the VMCZ makes submissions to the ZMC as to its particular
concerns with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy
Act (AIPPA).
c) That there be discussions between the VMCZ and the ZMC on the
issue of a joint Media Code of Conduct after the VMCZ has formerly
made submissions to the ZMC on issues related to the same.
d) That all of the above be undertaken by mid October.
Meeting
of the Media Complaints Committee
The Media Complaints Committee chaired by Retired Justice Smith
met on Friday 30 September 2011 to discuss current complaints as
well as how to expand our complaints mechanism. (Please see attached
complaints report and update).
Upcoming activities
The VMCZ shall
be launching a Media Public Accountability Barometer (MPAB) based
on the Media Code of Conduct by the end of October 2011. The MPAB
will assist in increasing the interface between members of the public
and the media. It will also assist the Media Complaints Mechanism.
The VMCZ shall
also be conducting meetings with civil society and media stakeholders
over the course of the month
Outstanding
Complaints Report |
January-September
2011 |
| Geoffrey
Nyarota vs The Daily News |
- Mr
Nyarota launched a complaint against The Daily News over
an article carried by the newspaper in its 18 March 2011
edition. The paper carried a picture of Mr Nyarota under
the headline "We are Back."
Mr Nyarota says the use of his picture under that headline
is misleading as it insinuates that he is part of the Daily
News team. He wants the newspaper to correct what he considers
misleading information.
|
Status:
Finalised
The case was heard
before the MCC on 20 May 2011, where Mr. Nyarota presented
his case and the Daily News also presented its side of the
story. The MCC in its judgement ruled that the Daily News
did not breach the code of conduct in its reportage.
|
| The Gays
And Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) vs NewsDay |
- The
Gays And Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) has filed
a complaint over a story published in NewsDay of 16 April
2011- entitled Gays, lesbians angry with Mugabe. GALZ says
headline was misleading and inciteful. The organisation
says it was GALZ that responded in the article and not all
gays.
|
Status:
Pending
A letter has been
written to Newsday on the matter and the newspaper has not
yet responded.
|
| Kubatana.net
vs NewsDay |
- Kubatana.net
has lodged a complaint with the VMCZ Media Complaints Committee
over a story carried by NewsDay on 5 May 2011 entitled 'MDC-T
denies emergence of 'terror groups'
- Kubatana.net
says NewsDay published a report carried by the website but
authored by Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition and said it was authored by Kubatana.net.
- Kubatana.net
in the complaint says it only archives news articles and
press statements from civil society organisations but does
not author the articles. Kubatana.net wants NewsDay to issue
a correction and apology to the article on the paper and
on its website.
|
Status:Pending
A letter has been written
to NewsDay on the matter and the paper's online team
promised to publish an online retraction on the matter. MCC
awaiting proof of the apology.
|
| Dr. James
Muzondidya vs NewsDay and The Herald |
- Dr.
Muzondidya has filed a complaint over publication of graphic
pictures of the Sunningdale fire accident. Dr Muzondidya
says the publication of the pictures was unethical, insensitive
and inconsiderate to the feelings of the deceased families
and lacking in common decency. He further said the publication
of the pictures without warning viewers of nervous disposition
about the sensitive nature of the pictures was morally wrong.
|
Status:
Pending
Letters have been
written to the editors of NewsDay and The Herald on the matter
and there has been no response since then.
|
| Lionel
Saungweme vs NewsDay |
- Freelance
journalist, Lionel Saungweme has filed a complaint with
the MCC over the use of a photograph by NewsDay in its 21
June 2011 edition. Saungweme claims the photograph used
is his and NewsDay had no right to use the photograph. Saungweme
wants NewsDay to apologise and acknowledge that they had
no right to use the said picture
|
Status:Pending
A letter has been
written to the editors of NewsDay on the matter. There has
been no response from NewsDay.
|
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