‘Media should be held accountable to society’

WITH the thrust of bridging the gaps in social accountability reporting, ActionAid, in partnership with High Way Africa and Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe has conducted an Editors’ Indaba in Kadoma to raise some of the key issues that need to be addressed to spur national development.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, ActionAid’s project manager, Mrs Delight Moyo, said social accountability is a key issue that needs more coverage in the media.

“When we talk of social accountability, we refer to the idea that the media should be held accountable to the communities they serve, so do those in position of authority. The media should report those issues in a fair, balanced, and transparent manner to ensure that the public is informed,” she said.

She said social accountability also includes giving voice to marginalised groups and ensuring that all voices are heard.

Mr Njabulo Ncube, the National Coordinator for Zimbabwe Editors Forum, said social accountability reporting helps to create a democratic society.

“Social accountability in the media is important in holding Government and other powerful institutions accountable, and it unearths issues to do with corruption,” he said.

Capitalk station manager, Ms Nyaradzo Makombe, said: “Lack of access to information makes it difficult for citizens to hold their Government accountable.

“Another gap is lack of transparency which prevents citizens from being able to effectively monitor and evaluate the performance of public institutions.”

A Governance and Public Management lecturer at Midlands State University, Dr Vincent Chakunda, said members of the public need to be well versed about issues to do with public resources management, policy implementation and resource utilisation to curb abuse.

“Social accountability reporting is a broad issue that touches various topics that range from health, agriculture (food security), community based organisations operations, misuse of donated goods and services, land and housing allocations, budgets, disparities on exchange rates on the parallel market and taxation, among other issues that keep people awake most nights.

“There are a lot of issues that the media can unearth to protect the lives of innocent individuals through holding those in power accountable for their actions,” he said.

Dr Chakunda said public funds and resources should be managed properly and those found wanting should be brought to book without fear or favour.