Online Reporter
Nick Mangwana
Government Up Close
In the age of globalisation, the media has become an indispensable tool for shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse.
However, when hegemonic powers exploit this platform to advance their own interests, the consequences can be devastating.
This insidious phenomenon is particularly evident in the context of regime change agendas, where powerful nations utilise the media to sway public opinion and pave the way for intervention in foreign countries.
A classic example of this strategy is the role of the media in the lead- up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The Bush administration, in conjunction with mainstream media outlets, orchestrated a campaign to convince the American public that Saddam Hussein’s regime posed an imminent threat to national security.
The now-infamous claims about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction were repeatedly amplified by major news networks, despite the lack of concrete evidence.
This deliberate manipulation of public opinion facilitated the justification of a disastrous war that would go on to claim hundreds of thousands of lives.
Similarly, in recent years, the media has been instrumental in shaping the narrative surrounding the conflict in Syria. Hegemonic powers, particularly the United States and its allies, have sought to portray the Assad regime as a brutal dictatorship, while downplaying the role of extremist groups and foreign interference.
This selective reporting has contributed to a distorted public perception of the conflict, thereby legitimising external intervention and the now successful regime change efforts.
Closer home, the NewsDay has offered itself as a willing quisling in an anti-Mnangagwa agenda.
Its recent editorial is a stark example of how the newspaper has become a willing vessel for spreading falsehoods aimed at demonising the state and President Mnangagwa.
The editorial in question was riddled with nefarious agenda setting inaccuracies, including the blatant lie that President Mnangagwa had gazetted his birthday, September 15, as Munhumutapa Day and a bank holiday.
Despite the Government’s swift rebuttal on social media, NewsDay persisted in peddling this falsehood, demonstrating a reckless disregard for truth and accuracy.
What is even more egregious is that the NewsDay’s editor could have easily verified the information through Statutory Instrument 954 of 2024, which is publicly available. Instead, they chose to perpetuate a lie, revealing a disturbing pattern of behaviour that prioritises sensationalism over fact-based reporting.
This is not the first time NewsDay has been found wanting in terms of publishing falsehoods.
In the past, the Government has demanded retractions and apologies for the newspaper’s defamatory articles targeting President Mnangagwa and his family.
NewsDay’s willingness to spread falsehoods is also evident in its claim that President Mnangagwa seeks to erase the legacy of former President Robert Mugabe. This assertion is patently false, given that President Mnangagwa gazetted February 21 as Robert Mugabe Youth Day on his inauguration day in 2017. Moreover, his Government plans to erect a statue of Mugabe in Harare, a clear indication of its commitment to honouring his legacy.
Dozens of streets named after President Mugabe have never been renamed. Harare’s international airport is still called RGM International Airport. So what has been erased?
It is time for the NewsDay to take responsibility for its actions and retract its false claims, rather than continuing to peddle misinformation that undermines the country’s stability and progress.
It is also time we call out their handlers.
The mechanisms by which hegemonic powers exert influence over the media are multifaceted.
In some cases, direct ownership or funding of media outlets enables these powers to dictate editorial content and suppress dissenting voices.
Alternatively, the cultivation of close relationships between journalists, politicians, and corporate interests can result in the propagation of biased reporting and the suppression of critical perspectives.
Furthermore, the proliferation of social media has provided hegemonic powers with an unprecedented platform to disseminate propaganda and shape public opinion.
Through the strategic deployment of bots, trolls, and other forms of online manipulation, these powers can create the illusion of widespread support for their agendas, while simultaneously discrediting and silencing opposing viewpoints.
Every October 25 is a SADC Anti-Sanctions Day. On that day in 2024 we witnessed the hijacking of The Herald newspaper’s online platform by the US Embassy, overwhelming it with sanctions-denying content and disruptive pop ups which appeared to have been paid for.
The messages were accusing the Zimbabwean Government authorities of corruption and of destroying the country. This is an example of hegemonic overreach through the media.
The implications of this phenomenon are far-reaching and alarming.
By manipulating public opinion and shaping the media narrative, hegemonic powers can effectively undermine the sovereignty of foreign nations and justify interventionist policies.
This not only violates the principles of international law, but also perpetuates a cycle of violence, instability, and human suffering.
To counter this insidious influence, it is essential that we promote media literacy and critical thinking. By recognising the ways in which hegemonic powers manipulate the media, we can begin to challenge the dominant global narratives and seek out alternative sources of information.
Moreover, supporting correct professional media outlets and journalists who dare to challenge the hegemonic status quo is crucial in the pursuit of a more informed and nuanced public discourse.
One of the key deliverables in the writer’s performance contract for 2025 is the rollout of media literacy workshops across Zimbabwe.
This initiative aims to empower citizens with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complex media landscape.
By acquiring media literacy, Zimbabweans will be able to effectively analyse and evaluate the information they consume, identifying biases, misinformation, and propaganda.
This, in turn, will enable them to make informed decisions, participate meaningfully in public discourse, and engage more critically with the media.
The benefits of media literacy in Zimbabwe are numerous. For instance, it will help to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which can have serious consequences for individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.
It will also promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, essential for Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.
Furthermore, by enhancing media literacy, Zimbabweans will be better equipped to challenge dominant narratives, and promote diverse perspectives, ultimately contributing to a more informed, engaged, and participatory citizenry.
Ultimately, the struggle against the hegemonic manipulation of the media is a struggle for democracy, sovereignty, and the truth. As we navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected world, it is imperative that we remain vigilant against the insidious forces that seek to shape our perceptions and dictate our reality.
Only through collective awareness, critical thinking, and a commitment to genuine media independence can we hope to reclaim the narrative and forge a more just and equitable world.
Surely, media independence cannot just mean the one that is rapidly opposed to its own Government and piously supportive of the funding foreign powers and handlers. That is not independence.
Now let us pre-emptively address the hysteria that is expected from the usual quotas over the content of this piece who predictably will scream, “threats to the media hiriri hiriri!”
The West has consistently demonstrated that it is prepared to muzzle media outlets that peddle falsehoods or content deemed contrary to the West’s interests.
A prime example is the removal of RT from air and various platforms, as well as the cancellation of African Stream.
These actions underscore that governments can take measures to regulate media content without being accused of suppressing freedom of speech.
Critics may argue that such actions are undemocratic, but the reality is that many countries, including Western nations, have laws and regulations in place to govern media content.
Even Israel banned Al Jazeera, citing
concerns over national security. Similarly,
Zimbabwe has the right to ban newspapers that work contrary to its national interest.
In fact, the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has organised training workshops to promote responsible journalism and fact-based reporting.
By taking proactive steps to regulate media content, Zimbabwe can ensure that its citizens are not misled by false information and that the country’s national interests are protected.
The issue of media sovereignty is paramount in today’s information age.
Protecting national security is not just about defending borders from physical invasion, but also about safeguarding against the insidious invasion of public perception through falsehoods and disinformation.
A country’s sovereignty is compromised when its media landscape is dominated by foreign interests or manipulated by internal actors who peddle false narratives.
To maintain media sovereignty, governments must take proactive steps to regulate media content, promote responsible journalism, and counter disinformation.
This includes supporting local media outlets, promoting media literacy among citizens, and enforcing laws that prevent the spread of false information.
By doing so, governments can ensure that their citizens are not misled by false narratives and that the country’s national interests are protected.
Ultimately, media sovereignty is essential for maintaining national sovereignty.
When a country’s media landscape is secure, its citizens are empowered to make informed decisions, and its government can effectively pursue its national interests without undue influence from foreign actors or internal saboteurs.
As Zimbabwe and other nations navigate the complex media landscape, they must prioritise media sovereignty as a vital component of their national security strategy.
Nick Mangwana is the Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services
