Zimbabwean media cautioned against coverage of violence

Zimbabwe’s media regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has cautioned media outlets against airing programs that ‘‘incite, encourage or glamorise violence or brutality.’‘

The warning was contained in a letter addressed to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and four other radio stations; Zi FM, Star FM, Ya FM and Diamond FM.

The statement read in parts: ‘‘Please take note in your portrayal or reportage of news and current affairs programming of section 26 of the Broadcasting Services (Licensing and Content) Regulations of 2004 which among the provisions requires that you do not broadcast programs that incite, encourage or glamorise violence or brutality.’‘

We also advice that you be technically equipped to handle live programmes and avoid broadcasting obscene and undesirable comments from participants, callers and audiences in accordance with 18 (a).

“We also advice that you be technically equipped to handle live programmes and avoid broadcasting obscene and undesirable comments from participants, callers and audiences in accordance with 18 (a),” the statement added.

Zimbabwe broadcasting authority.. Indirectly warning against airing of protests..?
U can't censors bad governance! pic.twitter.com/duHfcy7BVv

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) July 7, 2016

The warning comes in the wake of clashes between the police and commercial transport operators who were protesting police corruption in the capital Harare.

The protesting drivers hurled stones at the police while they blocked roads and burned tyres, an act that resulted into violence with police firing tear gas and water canons.

The country which is currently battling an economic crisis with the shortage of cash and inability to pay some category of workers, suffered a shut down on Wednesday, as a result of the refusal of striking teachers and nurses to take up their duty posts until their unpaid salaries for June reflect in their bank accounts.

The government had promised to pay the two groups of employees today (July 7).