The growing media polarization between “pro-MDC” and “pro-ZANU-PF” camps has reached a toxic level as it is now difficult to distinguish journalists from political activists. The prevailing political situation in Zimbabwe has exacerbated the rivalry and the media is being used for political ends.

The Annual Media Stakeholders’ Conference 2012 was held in Harare yesterday at a time when the country is at a deadlock over the new constitution and the increasing uncertainty of whether there is going to be any constitution at all. The conference, which was hosted by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), brought together media practitioners and members of civil society from across the nation to take stock of media reforms, which have taken place so far under the coalition government operating the Global Peace Agreement (GPA). Article 19 of the GPA refers to a free and diverse media environment but not much has been done to address this as many journalists and media practitioners have been arrested and charged under Access Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

According to a presentation by Andy Moyes of Media and Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) the government has established the Zimbabwe Media Commission and since the establishment of the Commission the number of registered media organizations has risen to 65. However it should be noted that the Commission is still a government-controlled body as it still operates under the provisions of Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The Zimbabwe Media Commission has recently come under attack from some sections of the media who view its establishment as an attempt to stifle media plurality, expression and press freedom. The same Commission has been criticized for lack of transparency in the awarding of licenses, which has resulted in a number of private radio stations crying foul. In what can be viewed as a deliberate move to stall reforms before elections no community radio station has been granted a license to operate to date.

Multiplicity does not necessarily mean the licensing of two radio stations can evidence diversity in content. The two stations, which came into operation recently after being granted commercial broadcasting licenses. One of the two radio station Star FM comes from a state run media house and the other one Zi FM is operated by a former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation news anchor who has denied strong links to the former ruling party ZANU PF.

The continued use of hate language, fabrication of stories, biased reporting and publication of highly opinionated stories is another sign of the high level of unethical practices which some journalists and media houses practice. To some extent the increased invasion of privacy especially by state media related to the Prime Minister’s private life has left many wondering if there are still any ethics being practiced in the media profession. The standard of journalism in Zimbabwe has deteriorated to that extent that the content being produced is now regarded as being unreliable.

Limbikani Makani was chosen to attend the 2012 Young African Leaders Innovation Summit in the US and now he mentors young Zimbabwean technocrats. I attended a Food for Thought Session at the US Embassy Public Affairs section yesterday where Limbikani was speaking. I was blown away by his motivational presentation titled, ‘Quit complaining, Take responsibility’.

Limbikani who is the founder of TechZim, a technology news website in Zimbabwe shared his experiences from the Innovation Summit, the experiences of starting up a website and of being a student at a local college in Zimbabwe. He left a lot of the audience believing that anything is possible. He also shared the stories of winners of the 2012 ZOL Jumpstart Challenge, which he co-founded. These stories show how Zimbabweans have seen where gaps exist and filled them with technology based tools and applications. Limbikani challenged Zimbabweans who seem to be born complaining, believe that everything around them is wrong and that someone has failed them. He put it to Zimbabweans to take responsibility and solve the problems they encounter.

Lauren Nicklinson writes a moving tribute to her father Tony Nicklinson, the “public face of the modern-day right-to-die movement”.

I more than loved my dad – I actually liked him. Dad raised my younger sister, Beth, and me to be tenacious, independent young women, to face life’s hurdles with strength and courage and to voice our opinions with conviction. He taught us to enjoy life and to seize the day, just as he had done.

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OSISA launches Journalism Summer School – applications now open
Deadline: 28 September 2012

OSISA is launching a Journalism Summer School this year for mid-career journalists and media managers. The inaugural JSS will run from the 5th-23rd November and will be hosted by the Polytechnic of Namibia.

The JSS, which is affiliated with UNESCO, was created in response to the multiple challenges confronting journalism and the media in southern Africa today – with the overall objective of improving and strengthening journalism so that it enhances democracy in the region. Targeted at mid-career journalists and media managers in the region, the annual three-week JSS will offer cutting edge courses on a range of topics from ethics to investigative reporting to gender in the newsroom.

The JSS will bring together around 25 journalists and 10 media managers from 10 southern African countries – Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe – for an intensive course that seeks to:
- Strengthen the quality of journalism and contribute toward a more professional media by training journalists and media managers on key thematic areas
-Deepen participants understanding of journalism theory and practice to enable them to critically reflect on the role and implications of their work
-Promote experiential learning when journalists are placed on attachment during the training
-Improve the quality of media management to ensure the viability and sustainability of media organisations; and
-Promote collaboration and joint research among journalism training institutions across the region.

The journalists will attend the full three weeks, while managers will only come in during the final week for specific media management courses. JSS participants should be able to demonstrate:
-Improved knowledge of particular issues examined/taught in each module
-Applied competence in journalism research, including skills in investigative reporting
-Ability to write complex, multi-sourced stories
-Understanding of journalism ethics
-Improved gender awareness and ability to write stories with gender sensitivity
-Critical analysis of news and the newsgathering process; and
-Better understanding of the commercial environment in which the media operates.

The JSS courses will be run by highly experienced journalism educators from across the region and abroad as well as a range of guest lecturers from Namibia. Lectures, group discussions and practical assignments will be key teaching methods. Journalists will be placed on attachment in media houses in the host country for a limited number of days during the course.

Applications are now open. Anyone interested can apply either online here

Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information, as well as civic and human rights updates, by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to:   info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Please note that the job vacancies we carry are related to the NGO and civil society sectors only.

Sixteen (16) vacancies: United Methodist Committee on Relief
Deadline: 20 September 2012 (close of business)

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is recruiting for a food aid project in UMP District (Mashonaland East). We require staff with experience in food aid projects and relevant qualifications for the following positions being advertised:

Harare Office
-Human Resources Manager
-Senior Program Manager

Harare Warehouse
-Warehouse Manager

UMP District Office
-Food Security Manager
-Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
-Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant (2)
-Logistics Officer
-Compliance Officer
-Field Officer (6)
-Finance, HR and Admin Officer

How to apply
Interested candidates can request for job description and cover letter format by emailing: adminasst [at] umcor-zimbabwe [dot] org then send the UMCOR cover letter and comprehensive curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three referees to: umpapplications [at] gmail [dot] com

Candidates may apply for a maximum of 2 positions.  Kindly state the position applied for in the subject box.

Information, Campaigns and Advocacy Officer: Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU)
Deadline: 21 September 2012

Specific duties
-Ensure that documentation is continuously up-dated regularly and dissemination of information done efficiently and effectively. The documentation section includes the library, and mass media monitoring
-Writing and designing of the WiPSU newsletter, Face book page, twitter and blogs
-Establish a media personnel data base
-Ensure adverts and press statements are sent to the relevant print media houses on time
-Plan and implement the Campaigns of the organization
-To carry out all advocacy initiatives in the organization
-To ensure media presence at all organization’s function and for the beneficiaries
-To assist the Programmes Manager in proposal writing for the Information, Campaigns and advocacy programme
-To plan and budget for the programme
-To prepare and present an annual work plan, monthly work plan and weekly plan to ensure the effective and efficient smooth running of the programme
-To identify relevant and efficient services providers for all necessary color printing jobs
-To compile monthly reports on the programme to submit to the Programmes Manager
-To coordinate and up-date the website regularly
-To network and collaborate with relevant women’s groups/organizations, NGOs and work closely with them in connection with Information sharing and documentation
-Any other duties delegated by the Programmes Manager and the  Director

Qualifications and skills
-A Diploma or Degree in ICT/Journalism
-Experience in journalism a must
-Must be well conversant in gender and feminist issues
-Good communication skills and well conversant in Shona/Ndebele
-Good Computer skills a must
-Must be familiar with the contents of BPFA, CEDAW, AU Protocol, SADC declaration on Gender and Development of 1997, Section 23 of the Zimbabwe Constitution.

Interested applicants must submit a motivational letter and current CV to the Women in Politics Support Unit, at no. 43 Dan Judson Road, Milton Park or email to: wipsuadmin [at] gmail [dot] com or wipsudirector [at] gmail [dot] com

Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.

Branch Secretary: Zimbabwe National Council of YMCA
Deadline: 21 September 2012

Work Base: Harare

Zimbabwe National Council of the Young Men’s Christian association looking for Harare Branch General Secretary. A relevant Bachelors’ Degree /Diploma from a recognized institution preferably majored in Social Sciences, Qualification in Youth Work, Business Studies, Project Management, Counselling and Gender Studies will boost the candidate’s chances. The candidate should be between the ages of 24 – 30 years with experience.

The purpose of the job is to manage day-to-day activities of the branch in consultation with the Branch Executive Committee paying attention to recruitment of new members and project proposals (fund raising activities).

Applicants from suitably qualified candidates should be sent to:
The National General Secretary
Zimbabwe National Council of YMCA
21-1st Avenue
P.O. Box M160
Mabelreign
Harare

Remuneration will be disclosed to short listed candidates.

Or email to jacob [at] africaymca [dot] org or administrator [at] zymca [dot] co [dot] zw

Please note that our organization comprises of staff and volunteers.