Daily News in trouble over 'Bloodbath in ZANU-PF'

The state media on Thursday reported that the ruling party, Zanu-PF, has approached the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) and the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe to register a complaint against the Daily News over a story in which it alleged that there was bloodbath in the revolutionary party.

In a letter addressed to ZMC chief executive officer Dr Tafataona Mahoso and VMCZ executive director Mr Loughty Dube, ZANU-PF youth chairperson for Harare Province Godwin Gomwe demanded a retraction and an apology.

The story being complained of appeared in Tuesday's edition of the Daily News under the headline "Bloodbath in ZANU-PF."

"We hereby wish to register our complaint at both the headline and content of the story which is inaccurate, sensational and calculated to instigate hatred and violence," read the letter of complaint.

Gomwe said the article portrayed the goings-on within ZANU-PF as extraordinary and violent.

"Had the newspaper confined itself to the actual goings-on, it would see that what is taking place in ZANU-PF is nothing but the democratic re-orientation and renewal of a party with a democratic and revolutionary history," said Gomwe.

He said the loss of positions of certain persons within a political party in an internal election could hardly be described as a "bloodbath" except to those who neither understood nor accepted democratic principles. "The falling by the wayside through a democratic process of long serving members, including a Vice President, is the norm in all Westminster type democracies," he said.

The late long serving Prime Minister for United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher, said Gomwe, was removed by a mere change of structure in her party in the 1980s. "Tony Blair suffered the same fate. Closer to home, former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki suffered a recall from the ruling ANC party, which saw him relinquishing the post of Head of State.

"These events in these countries were portrayed as an example of the strength of democracy in these countries by the journalists there.

"Calling what happened in those countries a "bloodbath" would not have been taken as acceptable journalism or anything reasonable," said Gomwe.

He said newspapers in terms of the law were required to report accurately, fairly and responsibly.

"It is meant to whip up negative sentiments about a democratic process and against certain sections within ZANU-PF. Use of the language "mindless bloodletting" suggests that the Daily News has taken a position decidedly in favour of a faction and that what is intended here is the creation of hatred and enmity which could in itself lead to violence," said Gomwe.

He said ever since the obnoxious genocide that occurred in Rwanda, all democratic nations had accepted that the media must clearly act responsibly and when it failed to do so, serious harm would occur.

"We humbly ask that the Daily News be held to account for its inaccurate and sensational reporting, which is unacceptable in a democratic society.

"As such, we demand that the Daily News be made to retract the article in question and to apologise in a manner that is as prominent as was given to the offending story," he said.

Gomwe expressed hope that both ZMC and VMCZ would investigate the newspaper and said the party was available to provide more information and evidence upon request.

In its article the Daily News reported that at least 10 Cabinet ministers and more than 100 ZANU- PF legislators face the political wilderness as the "mindless bloodletting in the divided party reaches alarming levels" ahead of its crucial "elective" congress scheduled for next week.