ZBC denies CCC allegations of election coverage bias; claims opposition officials refuse interviews

By Thabiso Nxumalo

THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has denied charges by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) that the public broadcaster’s election campaign coverage is biased towards the governing Zanu PF party and its presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation notes with concern a statement released by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Ms Fadzai Mahere,” ZBC said Wednesday.

“The (Mahere) statement dated 25 July 2023 has serious allegations to the effect that the ZBC in particular has failed to comply with the law in the coverage of the 2023 General election.

“The ZBC appreciates that according to the Electoral Act, the election season runs from the day of the Proclamation of the election dates until the day of the inauguration of the winner of the Presidential election.”

The broadcaster added; “The ZBC has availed three election programmes for political parties namely, The Candidate, The Manifesto and Constituency Indaba.

“All Presidential candidates are free to present their Manifestos and also be interviewed on The Candidate. Aspiring legislators can also be featured on The Constituency Indaba though regrettably some have refused to take part.”

In a statement Tuesday, CCC spokesperson Fadzai Mahere had challenged claims by information deputy minister Kindness Paradza that opposition politicians were refusing to take up free airtime slots on the public broadcaster.

Paradza was addressing diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe.

Responding, Mahere said; “It is a matter of public record that ZBC refuses to give any independent or fair coverage to the CCC, our presidential candidate, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, our star rallies, our cluster rallies, our rural penetration drive, our campaign messages or any of our wide-ranging political activities.”

She added; “For the avoidance of doubt, the CCC is available to participate on all fairly-moderated platforms that accord with the constitutional standard.

“We further challenge the ZBC to afford our presidential candidate, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, the opportunity, on a live and unfettered platform, to present his message of hope to the nation, in the same way in which it provides live, wall-to-wall coverage of Mr Mnangagwa.”

However, the ZBC backed Paradaza’s claim that CCC officials were refusing to participate in its election programming.

“ … the following CCC candidates refused to speak to ZBC: Gift Ostallos (12 June 2023), Discent Collins-Bajila (Emakhandeni/Luveve), Obert Manduna (Nketa), Chidaushe Emmanuel (Chivi North), Makotose Peter Alexios (Chivi Central), Patrick Mugwambi (Shamva South), Mavis Maringisanwa (Shamva North), Patrick Dube (Gwanda South), Desire Nkala (Gwanda North), Chinembiri Muchengeti (Chikomba East), Emmanuel Punungwe (Chikomba West), Douglas Gumbo (Chiredzi South), Petias Manyika (Mt Darwin East) and Lovemore Dhlumo (Chipinge Central) among others.”

The statement added; “The ZBC is also in possession of some audio recordings with the candidates refusing to speak to our news crews.

“Mr. Petias Manyika (CCC candidate for Mt Darwin East told the ZBC News that their party has made a decision not to speak with the ZBC. This statement has however not stopped the ZBC from seeking interviews from other CCC candidates.

“The ZBC as a National Broadcaster respects the journalistic ethics such as fairness, accuracy, balance, objectivity and confidentiality of sources but also respects the rights of individuals not to speak to the media.”