Zimpapers Logo

Conrad Mupesa Herald Correspondent
Reporters and editors from different media houses in Mashonaland West Province last week underwent a training workshop on cyber security and online safety.

The workshop, held in Chinhoyi was organised by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) and saw at least 20 journalists from public and private media discuss and gain knowledge on how to handle online sites, their gadgets and related issues in line with their profession.

MISA advocacy officer Mr Malvern Mkudu said there was need for journalists to be aware of how they conduct their profession in relation to the Internet and online gadgets.

“As journalists, you are supposed to be careful on how you handle your sites and gadgets in this technological era since it has proven to be easy for anyone to get access,” he said.

Mr Mkudu said there was need for journalists to understand trends in online issues to keep their material and sources safe.
“A number of cases involving people having been bugged or their gadgets cloned in countries like South Africa makes us wonder and worry as journalists if we are safe when conducting our duties as professional journalists,” he said.

“Hence under these circumstances, journalists should be very wary over the way they communicate especially with sources that request anonymity,” he added.

Journalists requested for the speeding up of the realignment of AIPPA and POSA with freer laws so that they conduct their duties freely.

The new dispensation is working on replacing the laws with more favourable ones that include Freedom of Information Bill, Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, among others.

Others bemoaned the secrecy surrounding the surveillance of journalists by State organs under the Interception of Communications Act (ICA) and urged the Government to make it open so that they operate freely.

Under the law, commissioners Zimbabwe Republic Police, Army, Central Intelligence Office and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority have access to (ICA) as they protect and govern the peace and security of the country.