On 28 July 2023, the Zimbabwe Media Commission hosted its inaugural golf tournament at the ZRP Golf Club. With the theme “Professional Media for Peaceful Elections”, the primary objective of the tournament was to foster professional media coverage of elections in order to contribute to the creation of a peaceful environment for the holding of the forthcoming 2023 Harmonised General Elections. By creating a platform for diverse stakeholders to engage in a friendly golf competition, the event sought to fulfill the core mandate of the Zimbabwe Media Commission through promoting professional media practices, ethical journalism, and responsible coverage, particularly in the context of elections. It sought to create awareness of the ZMC’s role in ensuring fair and accurate election coverage by the media during the election period.
The tournament was a resounding success, with fifty-five players from various media organizations, the corporate sector, government bodies, defense forces, and tertiary institutions competing in a friendly and competitive atmosphere. A thrilling prize giving ceremony was held afterwards, where winners were awarded for their impressive performances.
The tournament was not just about golf. It was also an opportunity for various stakeholders to come together and promote social cohesion in the country. Sport has the unique ability to unite people from different backgrounds, and the Zimbabwe Media Commission plans to use sport as an engagement tool to promote peace and unity during this election period.
The Zimbabwe Media Commission recognizes the important role that the media plays in promoting peace and stability in the country. In her key note address, Chairperson of the Commission, Professor Ruby Magosvongwe, who stressed the need for various stakeholders to come together during this election period, underscored the crucial role that media has to play in promoting peace and stability in the country, and urged all media practitioners to uphold the highest ethical standards in their reporting.
The media has a responsibility to provide accurate and unbiased information to the public, especially during election periods. As such, the Zimbabwe Media Commission has been working tirelessly to ensure that the media is well-equipped to report on the upcoming elections in an accurate and informative manner. The commission has been providing training and guidance to media practitioners, with the aim of promoting fair and transparent elections.
Overall, the tournament was a great success, and demonstrated the power of sport in bringing people together. The Zimbabwe Media Commission plans to organize similar events in the future, with the aim of fostering access to information and a professional, national interest-driven media industry in the country.
See you at the greens in 2024!
