Media and national-building

The media has been relegated to what is often called a nation-building and development role by government

However, Nation building role is highly contested because of differing interpretation by government and media. To Zimbabwean government, the media must priorities national cohesion, which promotes unity among people. But again that is lacking since our media suffers from polarization and are used on patronage basis. It is disgusting to find both the state media and private media creating disunity among the people of Zimbabwe. Media functions as the educator, informer, watchdog and so forth and therefore, reporting in provocative and unbalanced manner creates more enmity than unity among us.

The meaning of the role of the media in nation-building remains unresolved and a source of tension between media and government even in South Africa where media is mostly free from editorial control by government. The tension over the media’s role results in a division between public media and private media.

In Zimbabwe the best way to promote national cohesion and negotiating identities can only be fostered if the affirmation of positive developments that has a basis in what is actually happening in societies, and highlighting those tensions that signal that all is not well. For instance, we need our media to hail the positive developments attained by our Inclusive government. There is a lot that our inclusive government has done which needs a praise and respect. Use of hate speech and blaming others should not find space in our own media. Journalist should learn to be professionals and shun the tendency of playing public relations role for a certain political party both in private and public media.

In സിംബാബ്‌വെ it is very true that some media are playing into conflict situations by inflammatory reporting that fuels tensions and that is done by both private and public media. One of the solutions that can do away with such unethical practices which undermine media freedom to tell the truth and to enhance national building is to practice self-regulation.
In this inclusive government media should be in the lead in national building which is often linked to the role in promoting socio-economic development on the basis that without national unity it is not possible to mobilize a society for national development.

However, African governments have a problem of expecting the media to be a cheerleader for what can be perceived as sunshine journalism. This journalism focuses predominantly on government officials delivering development projects such as new roads, houses and sanitation facilities, to grateful communities as positive news.

The media in Zimbabwe should instill confidence to the members of the society about the positive achievement made by our inclusive government without looking at who does what and how. I wish if journalist can stop being politicians and partake seriously on capacity building. The use of hate speech, blaming tendencies and reporting negatively is what journalist needs to avoid for the good of our Zimbabwe. How is it that we do not learn from our leader who has shown us the way forward? We no longer need witch hunting, provocative, hate language and unethical reportage at this moment in time in our reportage. Journalist can only ensure peace to the people of Zimbabwe by instilling hope and unity among them for the prosperity of our nation.