Muchadehama tells investigative journalists to be brave

Prominent human rights lawyer who is also the chairman of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ), Alec Muchadehama has called upon investigative journalists to be brave as their work will sometimes have safety risks on them or even their families.

Masvingo Mirror reported that Muchadehama said this when he spoke at the official launch of an investigative journalism programme for 18 journalists from across the country that was organised by VMCZ.

The programme is being sponsored by the USA Embassy Public Affairs Department and is aimed at equipping journalists with investigative skills which will help in bringing out a full story rather than a scratch on the surface.

Muchadehama described the journalism that he currently sees around the country as just 'leak journalism' with no straits of investigations.

He said that investigative journalism involved immense research, unearthing fraud, corruption and deceit in society.

"Investigative journalism is far from leak Journalism that we are witnessing on a daily basis in this country.

Investigative journalism requires considerable research and evidence in revealing fraud, corruption or deceit happening in society.

"It also involves a lot of risk which, not only at times jeopardises the lives of the

"I would like to encourage investigative journalists who are being trained under this programme to pursue each story they hear about, chase each strand of information they receive, and investigate those thoroughly to provide a detailed account for the wider public audience," he said.

He encouraged journalists undergoing training to uphold professional values when doing investigative stories despite the harsh economic environment where some journalists go for months without being paid.

"I would like to encourage investigative journalists who are being trained under this programme to pursue each story they hear about, chase each strand of information they receive, and investigate those thoroughly to provide a detailed account for the wider public audience.

"An open, democratic society, a free society needs journalists demonstrating courage and resilience to unearth the truth and deliver accurate stories so that those with public resources can be held to account.

"We recognise that many journalists in this country work under tough conditions and are paid poorly that is if they are paid at all.

"Journalists in this country are working in a declining economic climate that can influence the journalists to neglect their own professional values and affect their ability to remain neutral," said Muchadehama.

The launch was also attended by VMCZ board members, Njabulo Ncube, Tawanda Majoni, Raphael Khumalo, executive director Laughty Dube, programmes officer Faith Ndlovu, several editors from the State and private media and MISA Zimbabwe board member, Kelvin Jakachira.

IJ trainer and veteran journalist Lucinda Fleeson, USA Public Affairs Counsellor, Karen Kelly, US embassy information officer public affairs section Sizani Weza and Reyhana Masters, a former features editor at the Daily News and now a local media trainer.