By Masimba Mavaza | The minister of Information and Broadcasting services has rubbished headlines which suggest that the government does not know which vaccine to buy. In the article published by Newsday the journalist said that Mrs Monica Mutsvangwa has said that the government is not sure which vaccine to buy.
Senator Mutsvangwa said she frowns at the story and the culture of lying exhibited in this article. The honourable minister fumed at journalists saying she wondered why they cannot keep up with the truth.
The minister was horrified by the lies deliberately peddled as the truth and meant to cause distrust in the government and the vaccine programme which is already underway; The report by the Newsday shows a corrupt and troubled institution; Corrupt not so much in the sense that it accepts bribes but in a systemic sense. It fails to do what it claims to do, what it should do, and what society expects it to do.
The minister has described the misinformation as showing that the news journalists who do not have an urge to tell the truth are entwined in a vicious circle of manipulation, mythmaking, and self-interest.
Journalists who need crises to dramatize news, always end up creating crisis in their writings.
This gives government officials need to appear to be responding to crises thereby wasting time on the real issues. Too often, the crises are not really crises but joint fabrications by the journalists who do not seek to confirm the situation.
The lies by those who bring shame to the profession of journalism always become so ensnared in a symbiotic web of lies that the news media are unable to tell the public what is true and the government is unable to govern effectively trying to reassure the misled public. Such blatant lies go a long way in undermining the efforts of the government in fighting Coronavirus.
In such an environment, the actors who most skillfully create and manipulate crises intend to determine the direction of change.
“Journalists are typically thought of as being credible men and women who disseminate factual information to curious news consumers. They are the first on the scenes covering major events and then informing the public of what they have heard and observed. “ This trust of the journalists by the public is being eroded by those who compromise this beautiful profession by misinformation.
The Newsday reporters decide to push the envelope a bit and let the world know of events that actually did not happen without informing the public of their fabrications, “Lying, deceiving and fabricating are hardly legitimate journalistic methods… No matter how good the story, lying to get it raises as many questions about journalists as their subjects”
But bald-faced lies (whether they involve leaving out the truth or putting in something false), are harmful, as they corrode trust and intimacy.”
Senator Monica Mutsvangwa referring to Newsday, said
“This is a false headline. We are already receiving vaccines and we are already planning roll out of the vaccines so there is need to correct this.”
A decision has been made, purchase has been made and delivery is enroute, and a roll out plan is complete” said senator Mutsvangwa.
The Government plans to vaccinate 10 million people against the Covid-19 virus for free, as the health system battles to reduce the threat of the global pandemic. So the Newsday by publishing such lies are undermining the government and its work.
Zimbabwe is expected to receive vaccines from The People’s Republic of China next week, while negotiations are ongoing with Russia for procurement of their Sputnik V. India has also promised to provide some vaccines and the country is also joining the African Union (AU) vaccination programme.
Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced the plan last night after the first Cabinet meeting for this year, saying,
“regarding the Covid-19 vaccination programme, the Ministry of Health and Child Care plans to vaccinate about 60 percent of the country’s population in order to achieve herd immunity (10 million people).”
Minister Mutsvangwa continued saying:
“A development plan mapping the priority groups for roll-out of the vaccine has already been developed.
“Already, Government has set aside US$100 million for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. Treasury will continue to ensure funding for procurement of other medical supplies including medicines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the fight against the Covid-19.
“The Covid-19 vaccines will be administered to citizens freely. The initial consignment will cater for frontline workers, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe. The administration of the Covid-19 vaccinations in Zimbabwe will be on a voluntary basis.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said while cases are falling, Cabinet had noted that it was imperative to accelerate the acquisition of vaccines to halt a potential third wave.
“Zimbabwe will take decisions independently in the national interest, without undue influence. The vaccination programme shall be undertaken in a structured manner, with groups such as the health frontline workers being accorded first priority.”
President Mnangagwa is on record that the Covid-19 vaccine jabs will be administered for free on everyone willing, this in the interest of public health.
Minister Mutsvangwa gave an update on the expected date of arrival of the vaccines donated by China.
“In terms of vaccine procurement, the Government of the People’s Republic of China extended a donation of 200 000 SINOPHARM Covid-19 vaccine doses.
“The donation and initial batch purchases are expected in Zimbabwe by February 15, 2021, and the first week of March, 2021, respectively. The 76 to 86 per cent efficacy of the SINOPHARM vaccine was endorsed by the World Health Organisation,” she said.
“Efforts to procure other Covid-19 vaccines such as the Sputnik V (Victory) from Russia, among others, are underway.
“India, like China, has also offered a donation and an option to purchase commercially and modalities for this offer are still being worked out,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said Zimbabwe has submitted its expression of interest to participate under the AU Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, on which the private sector support companies will keep 50 percent for their employees.
So the report by the Newsday is fabricated, untrue deeply depressing, knee shaking, and flabbergasting.
Zimbabweans deserve better and the misinformation of the public is wrong and must not be done. [email protected]