wfn.org | ECUMENICAL DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION CENTRE IN SOUTHERN

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Tendai Chikuku <edicisa@mango.zw>
Date - Mon, 9 Dec 2002 11:50:20 +0200
Communique

THE ECUMENICAL DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION CENTRE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
(EDICISA)

Communique

The horizon of religion and the media have touched ...and we all have to
realize that:

Religions, NGO's , government representatives , journalists , academics and
civic society  meeting at Quality International Hotel in Harare on  the 5th
of
December , 2002 for a media training Workshop on Non -Violent  Language in
Reporting , organized by the Ecumenical Documentation and 
Information  Centre in
Southern Africa  ( EDICISA ) together with the Zimbabwe Forum for Interfaith
Dialogue :

Expressed concern at the polarization of the Zimbabwean society and the
media.

Acknowledged that the Church , media and civic society can collaborate in 
the promotion of tolerance for diversity and the use of  non- violent
language.

Agreed that peace breeds economic prosperity and the media  has a 
fundamental role in promoting peace.

Diversity of opinions and views should be tolerated.

Called on the media to practice preventive journalism by seeking the truth, 
reporting it and preventing the situation where there is power without 
responsibility.

Called upon the media to desist from being unnecessarily adversarial.

The Church and other faiths  to hold views consistent with the views of 
their constituents .

Agreed on the way  forward as follows:

1.  Journalists need to be involved in more training workshops in 
non-violent reporting .

2.  Journalists should be guided by the truth and non- violent language in 
reporting .

3. Journalists should be guided by a social and moral responsibility for 
the benefit of society .

4. There is need to institutionalize the training of journalism in Zimbabwe.

5. Journalists must be facilitators of peace , harmony and unity.

6. Responsible journalism brings prosperity to a nation .

7. Journalists should report the truth wisely .

8. Journalists should be objective and offer both sides of the story .

9. The media should avoid partisan reporting .

May the Almighty help us as we humbly try TO DO WHAT WE MUST DO