Non-verbal communication in conversation

Many people ask themselves multi-million questions as to whether they can communicate without uttering a word?. Again they ask whether communication without vocal sound has more implicature to their day to day communication? The answer lies with non-verbal communication that can be achieved without vocal sound, but rather convey messages through signs.

Non verbal communication is communication that takes place silently without vocal sounds and can be in the form of body language, gestures, symbols, sound, For instance, in one of the module that I take journalism and desktop publishing, if a student seat with one leg on top of the other like a chief collecting tribute it communicates that the student is not there and have no interest with what am imparting. When the speaker's attitude language matches the content of his words, the listener knows immediately that the speaker is honest and sincere in what he says.

3.The language of objects
Communication can sometimes take place by means of objects; for example the furniture in an interview room, the certificates on the wall, the size of desk behind the type of carpet, the person's clothing and the mobile handset one possesses. The object around a person show his status, how successful he is, and what respect he should be given.

4.Language symbols

Language is a vehicle through which the message can be disseminated to the intended audiences. Language can be connative; that is influential, functional, persuasive, abusive, melodious, delicate and perhaps powerful especially if nicely packaged using the rhetoric devices like assonance, litotes, onomatopoeia, rhyme, rhythm and so forth. The implicature that the language carries is something that need not to be over emphasis. One can shed tears, smile, wry-le the month, tighten the face, spite silver, collapse or gain confidence.
These include the speaker's tone, the speed at which he speaks, the volume he maintains, the quality of voice (pitch), and the movements he makes in order to make his words meaningful.

The good example is when a speaker speaks monotonously without ever varying his tone, his listeners will stop listening to him and think he is boring. This judgement does not rest what he says, but rather on how he says it.It is important to deliver your speech in style, with wisdom, courage and expertise to gain control of the floor.

5.Physical action

Physical action has to do with space and the environment surrounding. Physical action attracts attention and therefore is important that actions are only to assist effective communication. The action can better express the speaker's personality while creating at the same time a good mood in the audience. Thus meaningless, mechanical or stereotyped movements and gestures should be avoided.

The most important elements of physical action are postures, movements, gestures and facial expression.

6. Movements

Movement usually attracts attention, so lecturers or communicators has to make sure that they do not distract the listeners,s attention from what you are saying. Effective movement is natural, matching the language, the voice and the meaning of the speaker. Ineffective movement is often seen when the speaker walks about without purpose backwards and forwards. General lack of movement may be unnatural. Purposeful, meaningful, complete and suitable movement, when it holds meaning for the audience or listener, will attract favourable attention and contribute to effective communication.

7. Gesture

Gestures is a science of movement and speaks volume about a person. When a part of the body is moved, a gesture is made. For example, the movement of arms, hands, head, shoulders or feet. They may be classified as follows;

(a) Descriptive gestures: these are usually show meaning either directly or indirectly

(b) Symbolic gestures: these can include such signs as a balled first( to indicate power, determination, might or anger).

(c)Locative gesture: these show place, position or direction

(d)Emphatic gesture: these are used when ideas need to be emphasised or established

(e) Dramatic or imitative gestures: These are gestures used by a speaker when he wishes to imitate someone.

THE FLOWER THAT I LOVE

When she looks at the sky, the sky looks through her
As she smile all the water lilies oozes
She always wear an iron curved smile
I love this flower

With a soft cooing voice she mellows my heart
When she speak, there is rhyme and rhythm in my ears
She pouts her lips like a coca-cola bottle
Two holed checks manifest,
A heart face protrude
The flower is beautiful

She walks like a tom cat
Her breast is decorated with two hills
Her forehead glitters with love
I like this flower

Life is never the same with or with out her
She gives me hope all the time
She gives me reassurance
Despair run away from her
I like this holed check born woman

She mellows my heart
As i think about her my heart throbs like drum beat
Her curved hips twist from an acute to an obtuse angle
i Love this flower

She carries the fountain of love in her face
A pool of it in her breast,
Melody and sweetness in her waist ,
Sea of it in her body
She quench my thirst for love
I love this flower

MEDIA ETHICS

Mr C Masuku (Midlands State University)
Masuku.caven@gmail.com,masuku.caven@gmail.com or masukuc@msu.ac.zw

2011-03-01

Presentation for Gweru Press Club


MEDIA ETHICS


The term “ “Ethics”, is a contested terrain that can be defined from a multiplicity of ways. Several scholars under here will be quoted in their attempt to define “ethics” in journalism. Ethics are very salient and journalist should adhere to it for professionalism and credibility in their day to day business of gathering, processing and disseminating of news to the widely dispersed audiences with various norms and values and ethical traits.

Ethics is broadly understood as a fundamental factor that deals and plays a role in human life and interaction between individuals, and the individual and society. Ronning (2002) notes that “it is about how we should live our lives as media practitioners. In addition, ethics applies to issues of virtues and vices, and questions basic principles and rules in the evaluation of human conduct and social relations. It is concerned about character and conduct. Ethics can also be understood as the systematic study of morality and examines basic moral attitudes, dispositions, beliefs, standards, principles, ideals and practices (Ronning 2002)

Nevertheless, Days (2000:3) submit that, media ethics involves the accepted values or moral norms of a society's notion about what is right or wrong and the distinction between virtue and vice. It can therefore be argued that ethics defines what is morally acceptable using values as the basis of human behaviour, where the decision about right or wrong are made ( Seib and Fitzpatrick 1997:3) Ethics is seldom practiced in the same way in different societies and cultures.

Moreover, Hohenberg (1976: 320) argued that reporters and editors as a rule are much more concerned about ethical consideration than their critics believe. The old notion that you “get the story and to hell with everything else have no responsible defenders”.

It is important and can not be overemphasised that code of ethics can be; (i) aspirational (what we aspire to be) (ii) educational (this is how we can address ethical questions),(iii) regulatory (this is what we do if the code is breached) or a mixture of all three (Frankel 1989 ,Sri Lanker Press Institute ). Chadiwick (1995) states that ethical codes usually have the following segments: (i0 aspirations, (ii) standards, (iii) Disclosure, (IV) value and Enforcement

In addition, Professor Black (1997) says that “ethics entails making tough decision-not the obvious choices between right and wrong, but the tough choices between not-quite completely-right, or even choosing between the lesser of two wrongs.” One salient issue about ethics is that; “Ethical journalism can never be guaranteed simply by resorting to a list of dos and don'ts, Emmanuel Levinas (1969:178) one of the French philosopher said that;
“It is only in approaching the other that i attended to myself... In discourse i expose
myself to the questioning of others, and the urgency of the responses acuteness of
the present-engenders me for responsibility; as responsible i am brought to my final
reality”.

Therefore judging from the above quotation media practitioners should be guided and be influenced by others, that is the society at large. Their discourse should not harm others and should always tell both side of the story without taking sides. Every word, message and expression from media houses to the audiences should be a reality. Facts instead of rumours or hearsay should not find its way to the media.


There are three ethical philosophies postulated by Brook et al (1998) that guides and oils the codes of ethics in journalism as follows;

Absolutism ethics:
Absolutism holds that there is a fixed set of principles or law, from which there should be no deviation (Brook et al 1998). Principles become rules that in turn, are treated like laws. Some refer to this kind of ethical philosophy as “legalism”. This philosophy is based on the meritocracy that “if it is wrong to lie, it always is wrong to lie. If a rapist asks where his intended victim is the absolutist could not lie to save a life. If the action is right, it does not matter whether a friend is killed. The consequences are irrelevant. Another scholar Harcup (2007:138) says that; “respect for truth is the first principle in journalism and journalism is about informing and empowering the citizens of a society, holding the powerful to account, and facilitate a public sphere of rational discussion. An absolutist or legalistic ethical philosophy could spawn a conscientious objector who not only would refuse to take up arms but who would refuse even to go to war as a medic.

Furthermore, Brook et al (1998:462) state that “absolutist journalist is concerned only with whether an event is newsworthy. If it is interesting, timely, significantly or important, it is to be reported regardless of the consequences”. The absolutism philosophy is attractive to some journalists because it assumes the need for full disclosure. Nothing news-worth ever is withheld from the public. In the end, these journalists believe, publishing without fear of the consequences or without favour for one group's interests over another is the highest ethical principle. This ethical practice indicates the seriousness by media practitioner in their day to day business of news coverage.

Antinomian ethics:
Antinomianism rejects all rules and in effect, all ethics. According to Brooks et al (1998), “the antinomian has neither a predetermined standard of conduct nor moral rules”. Actions in any situation are spontaneous and unpredictable. Antinomian journalists are not concerned with motives, consequences or obligations. That does not mean that they would always lie, cheat or steal. Antinomian journalist might pose as someone other than a journalist in an attempt to gather information on some occasions, and they would not be bothered by doing it. Antinomian's have faith in their ability to extemporize in any situation. No premeditation or preparation is required. While the concept of absolutism is attractive to many journalists, few chose antinomianism. The principle that the press has a responsibility to the reader implies a concern for the consequences that antinomians do not have.

Situation Ethics
Situation ethics lies between the two extremes of antinomianism and absolutism. Unlike antinomianism, situationism does not hold that everything is relative. The Situationism knows, understands and accepts the ethical maxims of the community and its heritage and weighs them carefully before making a decision (Brook et al 1998). However, unlike the absolutism, the situationist is prepared to compromise them or to set them aside completely if unselfish love for one's neighbour demands it. For example, a situationist most likely belies that lying is unethical, but if a rapist ask where his intended victim is a situationist would lie to save a life. In a broad sense then, for the person holding to situation ethics, people always come first. Sometimes this takes the form of utilitarianism. The prevailing ethics in journalism today is what Mill (1960) called “utilitarianism”; the greatest good for the greatest number.

It can be argued that the purpose of codes of ethics in journalism helps a group define and redefine itself, declares to others what the group is about with regard to purpose, values and standards. Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) 2005, states that;

“In the context of journalism, the code of ethics is seen as a fair and comprehensive
account for events and issues, founded and presented in truth for “Public enlightenment”
and serve as a “forerunner of justice”

This means in essence that for the news media to serve the public well, it must be free from distorting pressure exerted by politicians or economic forces and must continue to obtain, keep and increase freedom in order to be trusted and protected by the general public and to gain the support of readers, listeners, viewers to which accountability is to be rendered (Independent Press Council (IPC) 2005).

It is salient to note that there is no single media system that is better than the other. Whether media system is self-regulated or government-controlled, there will be different aspects of ethics that need to be addressed. The code of ethics practiced by journalist is dependent on the defined and accepted values or moral norms in the particular society where the journalists are, and these defined codes of ethics determines the right and the wrong (International Journalists network (2005a).

The Society of professional Journalists (SPJ) asserts that;

“The duty of the journalists is to further those ends by seeking truth and
providing a comprehensive account of events and uses. Conscientious
journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with
thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a
journalist's credibility...”

The most important ethical codes of journalism that permeates both in print, broadcasting and on-line journalism are as follows;
(i)Seeking the truth and reporting it
(ii)Fairness
(iii) Minimize Harm
(iv) Act Independently
(v)Accountability

Journalist as professionals need to adhere to ethics and should often ask themselves the following questions;
(i) What is public interest?
(ii)What precisely, is the public interest here?
(iii) How, precisely, will it be served by my actions?
(iv)Am i confident i can defend my answers in public?
(MEAA (1997) Ethics in Journalism)

1. Seek truth and reporting it
A journalist should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Professional journalist

Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.

Journalist should diligently seek to subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoings.

Journalist must identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources reliability.

Journalist worth the salt should always question sources' motives before promising anonymity.
Journalist and newsrooms must clarify conditions attached to any promises made in exchange for information.
A good and professional journalist keeps promises
Media practitioners must make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of contexts.

Journalist and media houses should label montages and photo illustrations.
Media practitioners must avoid misleading re-enactments or stage news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.

Journalist must at all cost avoid under-cover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public.

Use of such methods for professionalism seek should be explained as part of the story.

Never plagiarize information. Plagiarism is tantamount to shop lifting.
A professional journalist examines their own cultural values and avoids imposing those values on others.
Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.

Journalist at times should support views, even views that are repugnant.

Give voice to the voiceless, officials and unofficial sources of information
Journalist should recognise a special obligation to ensure that the public business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

(IJNET (2005a) Singapore code of ethics: Journalist’s code of professional Conduct, International Journalist's Network)

2. Fairness

RONNING (2002:86) STATE THAT TO ASK FOR FAIRNESS AND BALANCE IS TO ASK THAT EVALUATE LANGUAGE BE AVOIDED THAT THE MATERIAL SHOULD NOT BE SLANTED.GENERAL CRITICISMS OF NOTIONS OF FAIRNESS AND BALANCE ARE THAT THEY ARE LIMITED VIRTUES, TAKE THE MIDDLE LINE AND THUS EXCLUDE VIEWS THAT ARE MORE CONTROVERSIAL.

(A)Fair and reasonable opportunity to reply should be given to ordinary people or organizations in respect of factually incorrect statements endangering their reputation, dignity, honour, feelings, privacy and office. The reply should be confined to the complainants’ version of facts and no longer than necessary to correct the alleged inaccuracy.

ON THE RECORD: INFORMATION ABOUT TO BE USED AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE SOURCE BY NAME.
ON BACKGROUND: INFORMATION ABLE TO BE USED BUT NOT ATTRIBUTED TO THE SOURCE BY NAME.
OFF THE RECORD:INFORMATION NOT BE USED AT ALL. AGREEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE THE MAIN CONVERSATION WITH THE SOURCE STARTS NOT AFTER INFORMATION IS GIVEN

(b) newspapers or journalists who respond to a complainant's reply other than to apologise or regret the error, must then be prepared to offer the aggrieved party a fresh opportunity to reply
(sri lanka press institute)

Therefore journalist should avoid at all cost to produce inaccuracy or distorted information, surreptitious gathering of information (eg) undercover techniques, deception and duplicity, subterfuge etc.
(Sri Lanka Press Institute)

3. Minimize harm
Ethical journalist treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect Above all journalist should among other things;
(a) Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage.
(b) Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
(c)Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of news is not a license for arrogance.

(d) Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence and attention. It is only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
(e) Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.

(f) Be judicious about naming criminals suspects before the formal filing of charges.
At last balance a criminal suspects fair trial rights with the publics right to be informed.
(SPJ (2005) SPJ Code of Ethics)


4. Act Independently
Journalist's should be free of obligation to any interest other than the publics right to know. Therefore a journalist should adhere to the following practices;
(a) Avoid conflict of interest, real or perceived

(b)Remain free of associates and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.

(c)Refuse gifts, favours, fees, free travel and special treatment, and political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.

(d) Disclose unavoidable conflicts.

(e) Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.

(f) Deny favoured treatment to advertisement and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.

(g) Be wary of sources offering information for favours or money avoid bidding for news.
(IJNET (2005a) Singapore Code of Ethics: International Journalists Network)

5.be accountable
media houses and journalist should be accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other. in addition, journalist should;
(a) clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public.
(b) encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media
(c)admit mistakes and correct them promptly
it can be argued that journalist owe it to the public

6.objective reality
it is argued that journalist owe it to the public to report things that are objectively true, although this is not always possible. Given little time reporters have to check on the facts they are reporting (Ronning 2002) in objectivity the reporter write factually without being coloured by biases. this is an ideal-writing without any prejudices, distancing oneself from the facts. objectivity is the opposite of subjectivity (Misa 2002). in addition, empiricism plays a big role in objectivity. objectivity also means writing fairly and that the concept presumed neutrality in journalism. it is important for journalist to cross check what sources are telling them with other sources to ensure that what they finally report corresponds to the objective reality. Ronning (2002:122) say that in Africa “vendetta journalism” has been practiced. THIS IS UNTRUE BUT STILL GOES AHEAD AND REPORTS it so that they square up or hurt their enemy who is the subject of news. Vendetta journalism is clearly unethical

7. PLAGIARISM
MEDIA PRACTITIONERS MUST NOT ENGAGE IN PLAGIARISM. PLAGIARISM CONSIST OF MAKING US OF ANOTHER PERSON’S WORD, PICTURES OR IDEAS WITHOUT PERMISSION AND WITHOUT PROPER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ATTRIBUTION OF THE SOURCE OF THOSE WORDS, PICTURES OR IDEAS (INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SUPPORT 2009)

8.BRIBES AND INDUCEMENTS
MEDIA PRACTITIONERS AND MEDIA INSTITUTIONS MUST NOT PUBLISH OR SUPPRESS A REPORT OR OMIT OR ALTER VITAL FACTS IN THAT REPORT IN RETURN FOR PAYMENT OF MONEY OR FOR ANY OTHER GIFT OR REWARD.
((INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SUPPORT 2009)

9.Confidentiality of sources

confidentiality is associated with many profession, including medical doctors, lawyers, social workers and accounts and is central to journalistic ethics. every journalist has a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information, until that source authorities otherwise. The principle of confidentiality imposes a duty on the journalist to with hold the names of sources from third parties. An illustration of the problem surrounding confidentiality is the case where in October 1992, the editor and a journalist of the Zimbabwe weekly financial gazette were called before a parliamentary committee investigating corruption by senior officials. in 1933, the then editor of the Bulawayo chronicle Sydney Veats, was imprisoned for refusing to reveal a source (Ronning 2002:74)



The journalist shall regard as grave professional offences the following:
* plagiarism; * malicious misrepresentation;
* calumny, slander, libel, unfounded accusations;
* acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration of either publication or
suppression.(IFJ 1954)

It can be concluded that journalist should adhere to the ethical norms in order for them to produce credible information that is free from distortion and credible to the audiences. The plethora of the ethics quoted from various scholars reflects that a journalist worth a name should be faithful. In a summary journalist should be truthfully, fair, minimise harm, remain independent and to be accountable in the news coverage and production.



















REFERENCES
Berry D (ed) (2000) Ethics and media Culture; Practices and representations. Oxford. Focal Press.
Brooks et al (1998) News Reporting and Writing. USA. St Martins Press.
Day (2000) Ethics in Media Communications; Cases and Controversies 3rd Edition. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth.
Emmanuel L (1969) Totality and infinity: An Essay on Exteriority, Pittsburgh, Dusque ne University Press.
Hohenburg J (1976) The professional Journalists Fourth Edition. London. University of Kansas.
IFJ Declaration of principles on the Conduct of Journalists (1954); Amended by the 1986 World Congress.
IJNET (2005a) Singapore Code of Ethics: Journalists' Code of Professional Conduct, International Journalists Network.
http://www.ijnet.org/FE Article/Codeethics.asp (Accessed 20 July 2005)
Independent Press Council (IPC) (2005) About this Site; Independent Press Councils
http://www.PressCouncils.org/htm/frameset.php; (Accessed 21 August 2005)
Ronning H (2002) Media Ethics: An Introduction. South Africa. Juta and Co
Seib P and Fitzpatrick K (1997) Journalism Ethics. Orlando: Harcourt Brace and Co.
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) (2005) SPJ Code of Ethics Society of Professional Journalists
http://www.spj.org/ethics.code.asp: (Accessed 21 August 2005)

Book Review:COMING OF THE DRY SEASON

By Caven Masuku
Midlands State University( Media Department)

This week we are going to review the collection of short stories written by Charles Mungoshi, one of the famous writers in Zimbabwean Literature.

The novel entitled, “Coming of the dry season” by Mungoshi consist of ten chapters and refers to several issues that affect Africans in today's world.

Education is viewed as a vehicle to success in all endeavours and contributing to political,social, religious and economic well being.

Mungoshi has a negative side of the story on formal education to Africans, especially during the colonial periods , where Africans could not occupy influential post despite being educated more than a white person. Creation of a social system in which the educated are granted higher status than those without causes disunity in the society. Alienation between educated and uneducated is functional to our social well-being.

The debate between two boys who are friends and are on equal level until they entered into alien school system in the story; “The mountain”, tells a story on the evils of formal education. Values and social hierarchies imposed by the education system creates a rift between community members. Chinua Achebe in, “Thing Fall Apart”, says that, “Western education acted as a crush blow levelled at traditional values by aliens and causes the society to fall apart”. Mungoshi condemns the economic, political, social and educational configuration brought by white person.

Unlike informal education where communalism is kept intact, formal education encourages individuals to be awarded on merit. Our contemporary society has an insatiable appetite of greedy fuelled by western education. One of Charles stories; “The setting sun and the Rolling” shows how our African community has been left in social shambling state.

Western education does not give us solution to our problems, but it worsens it. Imfundo yebeLungu kayilabubelo ngitsho lakancane. Dzidzo yechirungu haina pundutso kwatiri.Many graduands in our modern society from universities and colleges have despaired hope and are puzzled with the problems they face. Their hope is banked on the old age to offer them solution. Formal education is good to those who are determined, but fosters bitterness to the community.

“Shadow on the Wall” is a story that indicates how parents are not caring for their children. Child abuse, hostility and disputes between parents and their off-springs is the order of the day. Musaemura Zimunya in one of his poetry books portrays urban area as a place; Language is difficult to understand, parents deny their children gift of language to express themselves. Hence children are placed on a solitary plain as they are abused by their parents.

“The accidents” in Coming of The Dry Season depicts an urban area as a bad place for blacks to reside. Many blacks are caught with misfortune hence unemployment, prostitution, robbery, poor sanitation and a host of other problems is a product of the urban set-up. In today's world many people are living in misery. An urban area will never be a permanent resident for Africans because it was imposed to them by a white person.

“Coming of the dry season”, the title story in Mungoshi's book tells a story of Moab, who forgets his parents after securing employment in town. There are some people who resemble Moab in our contemporary society. Embracing western values have made us to shun our relatives who are poor and uneducated because they put us on shame. Many people have become wild animals that devour their by-products. They abuse children, and swindle associates their valuable assets. Women have been turned to the “sugar Pie” of the city, an ice cream ready to be eaten by the rich men in town.

Art is good to the community as it exposes bad conduct and seeks solution to it. Education is good some-how, but breathes venom to the society. Mungoshi's stories forefronts the bad issues imposed on blacks by whites that will never be easy to put an end to. The fact that some benefit at the expense of others is what makes the whole issue complex

Perfect partner in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period which men should extra love the wife. On women this is the time that they expect their men to know what they want without telling the men.

Women need to educate their partners about what they want from them during pregnancy. In Africa and probably the entire world a large percentage of men still believe pregnancy does not require their special attention or presence. This is not because they do not care about their partners, but because their dads were not around for their mothers.


Women are important people who need to be cared for and loved more than ever.There are very nice especially if you treat them with respect and love. Infect there are lovely and they care for their husband.It is important to show your loved one when she is pregnant that you respect and love what she is carrying for you.

Men on the other hand are responsible people especially if made by their wives to be. The respect that wives give to their husband is what they get in times of need. You have to fall in love many times with your wife in order to remain the best.

Men do not think of asking their partners to get involved and to play some roles in pregnancy period. Women should learn to tell their partners , spell out what exactly they need and expect from them. Communication is important in partners. It is a give and take situation and is a two way process. Both end should give and take the messages verbal and non-verbal from their partners. Perhaps men need to be educated and women should not assume their men knows what they want.

Men at times feel very uncomfortable among pregnant women and assume it is enough to drop her off at the clinic and wait for her by the car. Talking from experience women need to be accompanied and even if you are the only man among pregnant women feel proud to be there. It speaks volume to your wife and communicate to her more than any thing. The concept of men being present during deliveries is still new. Many men attend the birth more out of curiosity than a sense of responsibility.

With new technology men should take photos of their loved ones when they deliver so that they can watch time and again. This makes them realise the importance of women in the society. Women are important and need to be respected. I wonder how this universe could have been without them.

Dealing with sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a conduct of a sexual nature that is unwanted and offensive to the recipient. It includes promises of benefits in return for sexual favours, unwelcome sexual innuendoes, sex-related jokes, intimate comments about a person's body made in their presence, enquiries into their sexual life, indecent exposure, the display of sexually explicit pictures- even unwelcome whistling.

In our contemporary society technological advancement can enable people to forward pornographic photos and innuendoes that undermines ones stature and can be viewed as sexually harassment. People, especially ladies are exposed to sexually harassment on daily mundane. At work especially in higher learning institution some of the comments passed either by male student to female students or lecturers to female students are a good example of sexually harassment.

It is easy and simple to deal with sexually harassment either at work or at college. Do the unexpected by naming whatever the person harassing yo have just done and be specific. Hold the harasser accountable for his actions. Do not make excuses for him or her pretending it did not happen. Let people know what the harasser has done. Privacy protects harassers, but visibility undermines them.

At times making honest, direct statements that is speaking the truth is the best way to shame the harassers. Speaking the truth avoid threats, insults, obscenities, appeasing verbal fluff or padding. At time it is wise to be serious, straightforward and blunt when dealing with sexy bully.

Women are constantly harassed because they do not stand the ground. If possible demand that the harassment should stop. Repeat it if the harasser persist and tell the perpetrator that you are taking the issue either to the policemen or relevant officials be it at work or at college. In other word stick to your own agenda and do not respond to the harasser's excuses or tactics.

another salient tactics to deter and to put in shame the sexually bully is to reinforce your statement with strong, self-respecting body language ; eye contact, head up, shoulders back and a wearing a serious face. Do not smile at the perpetrator. Using a combined verbal and physical response respond well to physical harassment.

Many a times ladies are harassed in the public and they allow the perpetrator to walk free. Sexually bully's should be put into shame and let them know that you are a force to be reckoned. If you are beautifully ally man will either comment at you or will say naughty statements. Let them respect you and think many times before they utter rubbish to you

Children's rights through Zimbabwean Media

Children's rights reporting is a new phenomenon or genre that has gain momentum in the journalism fraternity, especially in Zimbabwe and the entire world.

The rights to children is a phenomenon that can be drawn from the international human rights conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948, International Covenant on civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and many others that started in the eighteenth century by developed nations. Zimbabwe as well as many other developing nations are guided by the United nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in protecting the children from abuse.

UNCRC states that people under 18 have all the rights it contains, whatever their race, religion or abilities, what ever they think or say, and whatever type of family they come from. Children are entitled to survival rights, development rights, protection rights, participation rights and so forth.

Human rights conventions both international and home made ones attempt to protect children from abuse and harassment. In developing nations there is gross invasion and violation of children's rights. Media both print and electronic do not full educate the masses on the danger of children's rights infringement.

Both a boy child and a girl child suffers from gross invasion of their rights. At times our culture, religion and tribal practises have certain socio-cultural activities that infringe children's rights. The issue of circumcision that is said to be the best to prevent HIV/Aids violate the rights for children. In some tribes like Xosa and Varemba a boy child do not graduate to manhood until he is circumcised. Circumcision should be by choice and not a must. Fear for Isolation of children who do not follow their socio-cultural traits and regarding them as outcast is violation of children's rights.

The first important model of preserving children rights is the "Values and Awareness" model. The main focus of this model is to educate and provide basic education on human rights to the masses. For example in Zimbabwe and many other developing nation the media is used to condemn the abuse of children. Zimbabwe mainstream media plays a vital role of unearthing and exposing those who abuse children.

Girl child sometimes are forced by parents to leave school at a tender age and to get married to a person out of her choice. Some fall pregnant at a very tender age and joins a polygamous marriage which again undermine their rights. The Sunday Mail in Zimbabwe have been exposing and informing the masses on such happenings.

The lacking aspect in child reporting in Zimbabwe is that children are not given platform to speak for themselves. It is salient to hear the views of the children and hear how they feel about the infringement of their rights.

Ethical values should be respecting when reporting about the abuse of children. Journalist should not write the names of the victims as well as their photos.This can make people identify the victim.

A fair coverage should be give that represent all sides. Parents should be talked to before publication of the story.In Zimbabwe some stories writes the names of children and sometime the photos of the victim. This lead to isolation of the children affected and give a negative portrayal.

The second model of reporting on the abuse of children's rights is "accountability" and this model show an understanding of human rights issues. Media through this model directly or indirectly protect the abuse of children's rights.

In addition, the model focuses on building human protection and advocacy skills as well as deepening understanding of human rights law. Training sessions for human rights activists and documenting human rights abuses are the core business of this model. In Zimbabwe there are several human rights civil society for human rights, but few that represent children's rights. The Girl Child Network is a good example of one of the non governmental organisation that represent and present the girl child.

Media in Zimbabwe have not done much to document the abuse of a children human rights. The killing of innocent children by parents after disputes and for rituals is something that media should document.

Children in Zimbabwe and other developing nations have a challenge in attending primary education. In Zimbabwe the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) is an attempt to assist children to attend early education.

Despite having BEAM to assist children to attend primary education in rural areas many children have no access to primary education. Poverty in developing nation like Zimbabwe affects full implementation of children rights.