Luen Phiri

Local journalists have been called upon to do their part to enhance ecological health by taking greater interest in covering issues of the environment.

This encouragement came out of an environmental reporting media workshop organized by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) in Masvingo on 15 July, 2024.

In his presentation, EMA Masvingo provincial head Milton Muusha acknowledged the critical role that the media play in mainstreaming environmental matters into public discourse, and called for accelerated coverage.

“We are cognizant of the crucial role which the media plays in spotlighting environmental issues and bring them to the forefront of public discourse. Working together, I am convinced the media can do more to plug the gaps that still remain,” said Muusha.

He stated critical environmental challenges plaguing the province included water pollution due to hazardous substance spillages, poor waste management and water hyacinth.

Muusha singled out the absence of proper landfills and the proliferation of irregular dumpsites in Masvingo Urban as a nagging challenge posing huge environmental problems to the city.

“The dumpsite in Runyararo has already been set alight three times so far this year and residents living in neighborhoods close by have been sending complaints because they are directly affected by that,” said Muusha.

Other facilitators at the meeting at the meeting included Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) lecturer Dr. Last Alfandika who called for closer working relationship between the media and other relevant stakeholders to highlight the most critical environmental challenges.

“The media is an important factor in fostering enhanced care for the environment through communication. The people need to be informed, and there should be closer cooperation between the media and agencies of government to ensure that effective dissemination of environmental information,” he said.

Representatives from The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) also made presentations at the workshop.