Security sector, media seek common ground

Government is crafting a strategy to manage relations between media and the security sector following run-ins between the two establishments.

It also wants journalists to reduce conflict through professional and ethical conduct.

For some time, authorities have complained about publication of inaccurate and/or sensitive national security information, variably issuing warnings to the predominant culprit: the private Press.

In January 2016, Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe warned against snooping on the highly sensitive sector after NewsDay claimed Government had secretly given bonuses to Central Intelligence Organisation operatives.

Information Secretary Mr George Charamba added that culprits would be brought to book.

Now the ministry has engaged the security sector to help smooth relations via dialogue. Preliminary work began two weeks ago when Mr Charamba met Zimbabwe Union of Journalists representatives in Harare to discuss these matters as well as the Information Media Panel of Inquiry report.

Mr Charamba told The Sunday Mail, "In respect of security, we agreed that it is stemming from a few key areas: the lapse of professional conduct in newsrooms; the absence of a code of ethics; and the lack of sustainable communication between journalists and the various players including our security structure.

"I suggested to ZUJ that the issue of professional conduct will be addressed through rules and institutions coming from the Impi report. Such issues will be addressed in the context of what was raised by the panel."

He went on, "I indicated that we will hold a series of meetings with sister ministries within the security organs to straighten out how they relate to media.

"These meetings will be held at the level of us, civil servants, as well as ministerial level. We will then have interactions at the level of the media and security command so that there is mutual understanding…

"There are really small areas of misunderstanding that if left unattended, might blow out of proportion. These meetings will include Zuj, editors and proprietors so that there is understanding of the role of the newsman in running the affairs of the State.

"This, I believe, will be easy because most of our ministries already have public relations departments — which shows awareness on the part of our security establishment to the role of the media.

"However, one thing is clear in any country in the world; that the security establishment is a very sensitive area — which is the reason why our Constitution qualifies media freedom. Our Constitution recognises this and establishes it as a basis for derogating against media rights."

Mr Charamba also said, "There is no interest which is national to be got by pecking on the sensitive security structures of the State.

"If you are really in pursuit of national interest that cannot be realised by undermining the security structures of the State. To say so does not suggest that media should not report on errant behaviour by personnel within the structure."

ZUJ secretary-general Foster Dongozi was pleased with the meeting's outcome.

"The Ministry of Media, Information, and Broadcasting Services is our parent ministry and plays a critical role in the safety of journalists and improving their working conditions.

"We do not want to be friends with the Government, neither should they befriend us. We want a professional relationship where Stone Age tactics of beating journalists on their heads are not used when there is a simple issue like an error.

"A lot of people make mistakes in their area of work, but hardly get arrested for the errors they make. The Permanent Secretary was very receptive of our agenda and agreed that the safety of journalists was crucial to their working without fear or threats."