NewsDay charts through Zim treacherous media waters
[June 15, 2011]
FROM the ashes and rubble of a sustained, official anti-free press, scorchedearth blizzard, NewsDay emerged as the forerunner to a slow, steady, painstaking, proliferation of media players.
We were on the spot as soon as the first flicker of harbour lights began to show.
Few countries in the world sank to the levels of media choice deprivation and denial of rights to information that Zimbabwe went to.
Only fascist and totalitarian regimes have come anywhere near the media repression that Zimbabwe has had to go through as a paranoid regime, only accountable to itself, began to see enemies everywhere.
From wholesale arrests, detention and even extra-judicial killing of journalists and closure of, as well as bombing of media organisations and printing presses.
NewsDay had to pioneer the treacherous media seas after this holocaust, to restore renewed confidence in media practitioners that we have a role to play in nation-building and being the voice of the voiceless and watchdog, to ensure that those who occupy public and private office are kept in check.
The terrain is still pretty much a minefield with wounded media hangmen and desperate professors of patronage still trying as they may, to exercise their attenuated, perceived powers to make an impression.
NewsDay has soared the skies with an ever -increasing circulation and readership to beat them all.
We have remained true to our leitmotif of “Everyday News for Everyday People”.
Resultantly, we have been threatened, raided and have had computers and hard drives stolen, all in a bid to ensure that our capacity to tell it like it is, is curtailed.
We remain resolute and even more determined.
If they are worried, we must be touching the raw nerves.
Zimbabweans have a right to know the truth. Gone are the days when they can be fed on the humdrum of State media rations of meaningless propaganda.
There are no sacred cows as far as we are concerned.
We report the truth, irrespective of whether it’s in the public or private domain.
We give balanced reportage on all political processes, irrespective of what political formation it may be or what power they yield.
Zimbabweans have an inalienable right to media information, education and entertainment .
And, that is our business!
Those that do not like it had better be un-newsworthy.
Our duty is to Zimbabweans and not to any government or political party.
We will continue to inform the nation the best way we know how. Lastly, Congratulations to the Chairman Trevor Ncube, CEO Raphael Khumalo and Editor-in Chief Vincent Kahiya, who was the pioneer editor, and the whole NewsDay crew.
— NewsDay [September 3, 2010]
PrIme minister morgan tsvangi- rai (pictured) is in Nigeria where he is reportedly seeking spiritual guidance from renowned prophet t b Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCoAN).
According to online media reports, tsvangirai arrived in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub on Wednesday evening with some of his family members and security guards.
“Just like the President of Ghana who came to Synagogue Church to seek the face of God during the election in his country, the Zimbabwe Prime minister is also at the Synagogue Church to seek the face of God,” a source told myjoyonline.
“As you know, the Synagogue Church is a place of refuge for presidents and African nationals in times of trouble, especially troubling elections.”
Sources from his office and his mDC-t party confirmed he was in Nigeria, giving credence to media reports emanating from Africa’s most populated country.
His spokesperson James maridadi neither confirmed nor denied the reports and referred questions to mDC-t spokesperson Nelson
Chamisa.
“I think minister Chamisa is the right person to speak to on that matter. He is in a better position to comment,” he said.
Chamisa confirmed his boss was out of the country but referred questions back to maridadi.
“I’m not the president’s spokesperson. I think maridadi should be able to handle that,” he said.
tsvangirai and his party are determined to win the next general elections and to emerge victorious from the shaky inclusive government, which is effectively under the firm grip of his arch-rival President robert mugabe.
Zimbabwe faces the possibility of holding elections next year if the principals to the Global Political Agreement have their way.
tsvangirai joins a growing list of African leaders who have visited SCoAN for spiritual assistance.
In 2008, the President of Ghana, John Atta mills, went to that church to seek divine assistance during elections in his country.
the Ghanaian president said in a thanksgiving service following his inauguration that tb Joshua had prophesied his victory in the Ghanaian polls, specifying there would be three elections and the results would be released in January.
mills has described Joshua as his mentor.
Former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba also visited SCoAN while in power, as well as the late leader of Gabon, omar bongo.
the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini kabhekuzulu, visited SCoAN to testify to his daughter’s healing from epilepsy.
Pascal Lissouba and André Kolimba, the former Presidents of Congo and Central African republic respectively, are among other African leaders who have visited the church.
Prophet Joshua sparked media interest in Zimbabwe after Zimbabwe Football Association president Cuthbert Dube went to his church for healing.
Dube, who had been unwell for some time, was wheelchair-bound but is now able to walk.
marondera-Seke mP tracy mutinhiri also visited SCoAN early this year.
NewsDay