Journalists urged to fight corruption

JOURNALISTS have been challenged to use information dissemination skills in the fight against corruption in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at an advocacy meeting held by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) in Mutare last week, legal expert Mr Passmore Nyakureba said corruption was a perceived rather than seen activity and that journalists should be well-equipped to unearth cases of corruption based on evidence.

“Corruption in Zimbabwe has mainly become that of perception rather than based on evidence and it is upon media practitioners to uncover and disseminate incidents of corruption to the public,” he said.

Mr Nyakureba said for journalists to accurately tell the story of corruption, they should have an understanding of the nature of the vice and also be conversant with court reporting of cases involving corruption.

“Trial cases can be complicated to the extent that even lawyers themselves get vexed, but these issues are nevertheless important and journalists have to make sure the audience finds the topics clear and easy to understand,” he said.

Mr Nyakureba implored journalists to carry out widespread research on the court cases they cover or trials they observe so that they are guided on what to expect as well what to report on.

“It is important for media practitioners to read well in advance about cases and the circumstances in order to give back accurate reports to the public,” he said.

“They have to know the background of the case so that they know where it is coming from and where it is going to avoid giving out disjointed reports, which will in the end confuse the audience.”

Mr Nyakureba called for more periodic engagements between legal experts and media practitioners to demystify challenges that affect trial cases and make people understand their outcomes.