Post World Press Freedom day Celebrations 2021 reflections by Thabani Muleya (Dube)
What was this day really about? The 3rd of May was first declared in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly as World Press Freedom Day.
This was observed mainly as a universal reminder to uphold good journalist ethics. It is a no brainer that such practice is normally guaranteed by freedom and protection catered for by the adherence to universal declarations of human rights and constitutions of democratic nations.
In view of the above as a Zimbabwean I find myself questioning if as a country should we have commemorated this day or not. Perhaps yes we could have on behalf of other nations and the post Zimbabwean era especially bearing in mind the sombre aim to celebrate the people who have even lost their lives in persuit of information and truth. And yes we are world citizens as well!
Looking at this particular year's theme of the commemoration which has been "INFORMATION AS A PUBLIC GOOD" where do we stand as a country where dissent is a 'crime' punishable with custodial sentences even without trial. This is a lonely road which has been walked by a number of well meaning professionals in the field of journalism including Hopewell Chinono. In a democratic culture which our country supposedly falls under, information, facts observations irrigardless of who it favours should be treated as sacred as it is 'public goods' and as such to be freely and fearlessly disseminated to the Zimbabwean and even world citizenry for the welfare of the nation.
Persecution in every form including shootings of the press have been seen in Zimbabwe. Journalists have experienced a gruelling life being made villains to the ruling machinery whose closets are not to be touched, harbouring collosal crimes against a nation on its knees due to mismanagement of funds and assets and a deep dark culture of curruption in every nook of overnment offices.
In view of all the grim unsettling observations. Even without delving deep into the plight of other people like Alan Moyo, Samuel Takawira and Frank Chikoore we have no choice but to call for a rethink and a revaluation of the state of affairs in Zimbabwe.
The media is acclaimed to be the fourth pillar of democracy so let us go ahead and use the same measures to view the current state of affairs in Zimbabwe.
What are the codes of conducts in Zimbabwe as far as governance is concerned and what has been the plight of those who have made adverse observations and spoke about them?
• What is the quality of service delivery?
• Has the government investigated any allegations of corruption?
• Are the citizens afforded a right to be transparent as far as the utilisation of public funds are concerned?
Sad to say that many journalists, philanthropist and activists have fallen under this sword. Some of them into their deaths and some into oblivion as they are forced to close their eyes, mouths and ears by the efficient silencing mechanism that includes the judiciary and other service such as the police. It is also sad to say more of this will be seen with the amendment of the Constitution Al Bill Number 2 which gives more power to the president to chop and choose the Prosecutor General.
#InformationAsAPublic
#WorldPressFreedomDay2021
About the author;-Thabani Muleya –nee-Dube is a human rights activist and a member of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on tabb2mly@yahoo.co.uk
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