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Daily Election Report - Issue 9
The Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe
July 23, 2013

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ZBC gives MDC-T negative exposure

The national broadcaster’s news coverage of the political parties’ activities continued to be massively skewed in favour of Zanu-PF, focusing on the party’s business in 10 promotional stories, while presenting the MDC-T’s activities in an exclusively negative light.

The private radio stations aired six stories on the activities of the parties [ZiFM three, Star FM, Studio 7 and SW Radio Africa one each]

Generally, these media reported factually on all the main parties, although SW Radio Africa only reported on the fleet of expensive campaign vehicles acquired by Zanu-PF, rather than their rallies and ZiFM only reported on the MDC-T’s rallies held over the weekend in their evening bulletin today (Monday).

Studio 7 reported on the MDC-T’s Monday rally in Rusape where party leader Morgan Tsvangirai urged his supporters in Makoni Central constituency to vote for the party’s alliance partner, Simba Makoni of Mavambo/Dawn party. But they didn’t report on the friction this has caused.

The ZTV and Spot FM bulletins were dominated by Zanu-PF rallies addressed by Vice-President Joice Mujuru, Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo and the party’s aspiring candidates for local authorities, all expressing their confidence of a Zanu-PF election victory.

The public broadcaster’s radio and television bulletins reported Mujuru addressing rallies in Goromonzi West where she attacked the coalition government, saying it had caused people “much suffering” and condemned MDC-T Finance Minister, Tendai Biti for not releasing funds.

Another report on ZTV provided a round-up of Zanu-PF rallies held nationwide.

In a four-and-a-half minute report on the MDC-T’s weekend rallies, ZTV only reported that the party’s leader “contradicted himself (in Bulawayo) when he paid tribute to the fallen heroes and yet he has boycotted the burial of some national heroes.”

In another of its four reports on the MDC-T, ZTV criticised the party’s claim that it would create a million jobs if it gets a chance to govern. Without presenting any evidence, the presenter simply stated “there have already been questions and doubts on how they would achieve the feat of creating a million jobs…Analysts say…the MDC-T manifesto remains political rhetoric with unrealistic targets.”

Spot FM reported National Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Board chairperson Retired General Mike Nyambuya announcing that President Mugabe was expected to hand out one million dollars before the end of the month to boost agricultural production in Manicaland.

This was not viewed as vote-buying.

ZiFM quoted Tsvangirai addressing a rally in Gweru challenging all the presidential candidates to a public debate, saying it would help Zimbabweans make an informed decision when they vote on July 31.

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