WHEN IT COMES TO THE MEDIA, MONEY TALKS!

There is no need to bother ourselves about the ethics of the news mediums we trust.Beside we we are merely recipients, who can neither add, nor subtract anything.The quality of the commercial news mediums is by and large determined by the business associates. They support the media institutions in form of advertisements, commercials, and infomercials. In media there is a saying that says" He who pays the piper calls the tune".It is normal for the business people to patronize their local mediums, be it newspaper, radios, or television. Given that scenario, the every people day might not the bosses. Depending on the type of news organization or its affiliates, it is dangerous to assume that these are civil servants.

The mouthpiece machinery on the news desk must be well oiled . The local people who tune in or buy the paper cannot pay as much as the business community. To have an objective analysis one would needs look at the media like any other business. They are there to make profit. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, that directly, or indirectly affects the outcome of the news.Its not easy to take note of this, if there a media monopoly, as compared to when there is two or three competing news mediums.

There is nothing wrong with this kind of partnership except that sometimes the quality of the news is questionable . It is very hard, if not impossible to strike a good balance between the two.The integrity of the reporters, and newscasters is tested time and again. There are business interests.One will choose either to inform, misinform, or even turn a blind eye on other issues that might be touching their affiliates. There is a lot at stake. Business people might not like they things exposed. What is interesting is the fact that some business people will go to the extent of buying shares in the local newspaper. There are no laws that prohibit people from owning media outlets. Media is the most lucrative business one can possible venture into, and its role in the communities is very essential. The values and ethics of the media will be a thing of the past given the stakes and interests there of.

OUR POSITION ABOUT TALKS.

While it is important that our political party leaders are on the verge of signing a power deal, we are however concerned that the people of Zimbabwe are not consulted. There can be no permanent solutions to the county's problems if the average Zimbabwean people are left out. Zimbabwe does not belong to Mugabe, Tsvangairayi and Mutambara, no. It is us the people who give leaders the mandate to represent us. The magnitude of the problems requires serious dialogue and that is not only limited to the political parties. These are known for serving their own interest at the expense of the masses.

There are human rights violations. The restoration of law and order. The strategic distribution and development of land. The liberalisation of the media airwaves. The revamping of the education system, the economy and tourism. These can only be achieved through people who share common goals and values. Without accountability and inclusion of a diversified spectrum of people that cut and taps on a wide variety of ideas we will end up with more of the same. We need a local leadership with a global outlook. Power corrupts people, talks must not only be centred on power sharing but also on challenges that our nation is facing.

The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

HERO MUGABE LOOKING FOR A HONORABLE EXIT.

Whichever direction the Zimbabwean talks are hearded, the man Robert Mugabe is the winner. Forget about the land. Forget about colonialism. Robert Mugabe, the self declared Pan African soldier and champion is giving up the fight. This is the man who defied the whole world's logic. How is it that he is suddenly is giving in to other views? Was his victory on the 27 of June not enough? Did he not win with an overwhelming margin?

There is a Ndebele saying that says, "Akuqili lazikhotha emhlane". Simple put you cannot cheat them all. This man having managed to play "macho man and fool the whole world", but has failed to fool himself. Why is he sitting down and shaking hands with sellouts and agents of imperialism? Has he forgotten that Zimbabwe is not for sale. He must know something. His time is up. The man is trying hard to leave a good legacy. This is the same man that has always envisioned himself as a champion of the people. His loss to MDC in March sent a clear message to him that people no longer regard him that way.

Part of him has always known the truth , yet another part of him was successful in misleading the the world. All his tricks, all his brutality that he unleashed on the people in the name of power is haunting him. It has suddenly hit him that he will not live forever. Politics aside the plight of the ordinary Zimbabweans has suddenly became evident to him. The Zimbabwe he once bragged about has become the laughing stock of the world.

The thousands of people that used to sing praises of him all day long have vanished. The Western world that he once impressed is trashing him. Even the so called African leaders are not behind him anymore. He only relies to a few power hungry men who are not telling him the truth. His kids are now in their late teens, and are asking him tough questions. The memorable pictures hanging on the wall of State house with the world leaders no longer mean anything. He had pictured himself among the best. Zimbabwe's first elected leader. He wishes he could turn back the time. How did he end up among those doomed for perdition?

Rumour has it that after losing the March elections, he wanted to go public on television and concede defeat. Only to be blocked by the security agents who are fearing for their lives after he is goes. They know their sins. He is their only way out. This opportunity called Talks that has suddenly presented itself is his second chance, and he must make the most of it. He must redeem his name. At This age nothing matters. Tough luck to security agents. "He must to good for the for benefit of ordinary Zimbabwean". After all, the elections are gone, who cares about these guys in uniform anymore.

Mugabe can and will do anything for power, but now he has seen it all. He is taping into the human side of himself. He is praying to the almighty gods to save his soul. The gods of Zimbabwe. The God of the universe. The supreme being, as well as the ancestors to forgive him. He recently declared that it was God who put him in power, and its him who will take him out. The writting is on the wall. Soon he will answer to him. This is by no means a prophecy but a law of nature.

by Chief N. Gagisa

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Daniel wrote.

Hey wethu

this is a very interesting and insightful analysis

great stuff!

Mr. Daniel MolokeleGeneva

SwitzerlandCell : +41 78 906 3896

Email: zimvirtualnation@yahoo.comSkype:

daniel.molokeleFacebook: daniel molokele

GUKURAHUNDI GHOST STILL HAUNTS ZIMBABWE

Despite many attempts to avoid the subject of the Gukurahundi atrocities in the mid 80s, Zimbabwe is still struggling to come to terms with that ghost. The President Cde RG Mugabe once referred to this period as the darkest period in the history of the nation. He further said it was the time of madness, and should never happen again. During this period many people were murdered in cold blood by the 5th Brigade. This was a special wing of the army that was specifically formed to perpetrate, and wipe away the dissidents in Matabeleland and Midlands. These Korean trained militias did not only deal with the dissidents, but also any body who did not support the ruling party ZANU PF. Their wave was so strong that they did not only kill the male villagers; but also raped and killed pregnant women.

They would come to a village, and close schools, select boys and girls in higher grades they could use as informers. This would be brainwashed so much that they would even kill their own parents. Normally, they wanted one to start by battering his or her own family. This would be under their watchful eye. Failure to do that would mean death for oneself. Men were stripped and humiliated in public places, and thoroughly beaten to death. The soldiers as we used to call them, would gather the children together, and ask them questions, They would beat them to release the information they wanted. People who were targeted most were obviously Ndebele speakers, since they operated in Ndebele lands. Young girls were raped. Men of age vanished mysteriously or were killed publicly. The tactics they used varied depending on the soldiers judgements. No Police would intervene as this was said to be an operation to clean up, hence the name Gukurahundi.

This period of witch hunt, humiliation and torture took place not under the evil regime of Ian Douglas Smith, but in a free Zimbabwe. These operations were planned and directed by the government of Zimbabwe which was elected by the people of Zimbabwe. This was the period when many investors and non governmental agencies were flooding Zimbabwe. This was the time when many regions of Zimbabwe were fast developing. It is estimated that over twenty thousand people died. Nobody surely knows the actually number. No official findings have ever been released about this tragedy. The Chihambakwe Commission's findings which the government ordered undertaken, was never made public. A lot of young people from Mat land could not get their birth certificates, because their fathers were unknown.

GUKURAHUNDI CAN MAKES US OR BREAK US.

The problem now is that many people are using the gukurahundi atrocities, to keep the affected people in bondage. This sensitive and touching issue deserves to be handled correctly by the right people. It has taken over two decades for Zimbabwe to acknowledge that these unfortunate events happened. In the past nobody ever listened to these people's plight. They were considered aliens. Only recent did we hear politicians like Morgan Tvsangirayi getting on board, saying that he will prosecute Mugabe for these crimes. Because of the desperation politicians are using that issue as catch to attract people from Matabeland .