News / National
Charamba mock Daily News on Grace Mugabe obsession
25 Jul 2015 at 07:15hrs | Views
A State media columnist believed to be President Robert Mugabe's spokesperson, George Charamba has mocked Daily News for going overdrive on First Lady Grace Mugabe's 50th birthday but silent on 11 journalists fired from the stable.
This week, Daily News, sacked 11 journalists in one day and other supporting staff using a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows employers to give three months' notice before termination of contracts.
The fired are Lloyd Mbiba, Thelma Chikwanha, Margret Chinowaita, Wendy Muperi, Ray Matikinye, Kudzai Chawafambira, Godfrey Mutimba and Nyasha Chingono.
The mass sacking coincided with Grace's 50th birthday.
Manheru wondered if the sacking of the journalists was not newsworthy to Daily News.
He wrote on his Saturday column "Where dismissed workers are no news. Here is one lady married to the President of this country.
"By dint of her generous God, she turns 50, and chooses to celebrate that act of divine generosity. That simple, innocent gesture either piques or threatens some newsroom, and pens come blazing! Ahh! Is it her age which provokes such editorial frenzy?
"Not quite, apparently. It is the goodwill expressed by larger society towards her, goodwill expressed by way of Press ads.
"Why should people buy space to congratulate her, someone in the newsroom grates. Really? And here is the amazing aspect. A newsroom whose publisher fires 11 journalists in one swoop, still does not find that newsworthy enough, but affords the luxury of leading with the First Lady.
"You lead with a story questioning why the First Lady should be loved; you ignore the story about yourself and why you should not be hated for delivering such grief on individuals who have worked for you for so many years, doing your dirty bidding? We have to go to other titles to read about that.
"Otherwise in their world, the biggest tragedy is that Grace Mugabe has turned 50, is enjoying to much goodwill! Cry the beloved profession,".
This week, Daily News, sacked 11 journalists in one day and other supporting staff using a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows employers to give three months' notice before termination of contracts.
The fired are Lloyd Mbiba, Thelma Chikwanha, Margret Chinowaita, Wendy Muperi, Ray Matikinye, Kudzai Chawafambira, Godfrey Mutimba and Nyasha Chingono.
The mass sacking coincided with Grace's 50th birthday.
Manheru wondered if the sacking of the journalists was not newsworthy to Daily News.
He wrote on his Saturday column "Where dismissed workers are no news. Here is one lady married to the President of this country.
"By dint of her generous God, she turns 50, and chooses to celebrate that act of divine generosity. That simple, innocent gesture either piques or threatens some newsroom, and pens come blazing! Ahh! Is it her age which provokes such editorial frenzy?
"Not quite, apparently. It is the goodwill expressed by larger society towards her, goodwill expressed by way of Press ads.
"Why should people buy space to congratulate her, someone in the newsroom grates. Really? And here is the amazing aspect. A newsroom whose publisher fires 11 journalists in one swoop, still does not find that newsworthy enough, but affords the luxury of leading with the First Lady.
"You lead with a story questioning why the First Lady should be loved; you ignore the story about yourself and why you should not be hated for delivering such grief on individuals who have worked for you for so many years, doing your dirty bidding? We have to go to other titles to read about that.
"Otherwise in their world, the biggest tragedy is that Grace Mugabe has turned 50, is enjoying to much goodwill! Cry the beloved profession,".
Source - Byo24News
