The media enables and fuels dangerous, misogynistic rhetoric

When we clamour for independent media we do not only mean a media that will write objectively and fairly about opposition parties — we also mean an objective ethical media landscape that will report fairly and objectively about citizens despite their political affiliation

The media has incredible power to shape the views of the public. As such, it simply cant be thought of as being neutral since the views it puts across are views of people who work as practitioners and bring their own set of values, codes of conduct and ethics into their work.

What needs to be ensured, then, is that the values, ethics and opinions these media practitioners uphold, are fair, just and informed to enable them to make the right choices and follow the truth.

Through its use of various writing techniques such as framing, naming, labelling, use of active and passive voices, headlines and sourcing in regards to the reporting of the Susan Mutami sexual assault, the media in Zimbabwe has maintained in its writings the patriarchal attitude towards the rather very serious socio-health issue of sexual abuse.

The use of sensationalism, hype, justification of rape using age, de-emphasizing of the perpetrator and victim blaming all points to how the tabloid in its reportage is helping to establish and sustain ZANU-PF hegemony through the use of patriarchy and how it views women’s bodies

What you see playing out is the reason young women leave the media. They are not even shy to release damning articles on abuse because they have functioned for a very long time without accountability.

Enjoyment of impunity is but one of the many perks of being pro-ZANU-PF after all

Patriarchy and political power feed off each other and until we can fight for democratic institutions beyond political parties we will forever be here

I would like to recommend that Human Rights language be incorporated into journalistic writing. This will enable journalists to move from merely reporting and scandalising individuals to actually shining a light on the ills of our society.

Human Rights awareness will also aid in raising awareness and creating platforms for people to discuss and debate issues that can lead to solving problems that are in society.

For all the victims of sexual violence, my heart goes out to you. The media has once again, failed you