Media must report responsibly - Mutambara

Arthur G. Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, has stated that for Africa to build a peaceful democratic continent and achieve an economic integration, the media must report responsibly.

He said the media must be free, independent and not be muzzled by a government in power but be given access to the availability of the necessary resources and human capacity so they could be balanced in their reportage.


He said the independence of the media did not mean anti-state but must seek not to support the state when it was wrong, and keep their balance in making criticisms and focusing on national interest first.


He said he was impressed about the performance of the media in Africa and that journalists could only be well recognized if their countries were making strides in their economies and democracy.


Mr Mutambara was addressing a group of Journalists on Wednesday ahead of his Democracy lecture to be held at the Conference Centre on Wednesday in Accra.


The Democracy lecture as part of the NCCE Annual Constitution Week celebration would be held on the theme: “Building a Peaceful Democratic, Non-Partisan, And Prosperous African State: Understanding where African Leaders Have Gotten it Wrong”.


He said that Ghana was a leader in Africa in all spheres for being the first to attain independence, and also for liberating Africa through multi-party democracy.

He noted that lessons to be derived from the lecture would be what could be done differently, and efforts to build a peaceful, non-partisan African state.


Touching briefly on power sharing in Zimbabwe, Mr Mutambara pointed out that power sharing was a concept that had both positive and negative aspects.


He said power sharing was about encouraging political parties to actively get involved in making reforms, and fostering institutions that could be used to drive the economy in an all inclusive government where the reforms would lead to free and fair elections.


Mr Mutambara tasked the media to fight for change in their countries and continent.


Madam Charlotte Osei, Chairman of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), said the Commission was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Constitution as part of the Annual Constitution Week.


She said the celebration was timely as the country prepared for the general elections in December.**