International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences
Year : 2017, Volume : 7, Issue : 3
First page : ( 74) Last page : ( 80)
Online ISSN : 2249-7382.

State of media preparedness in natural disaster coverage in Zimbabwe: Case of Masvingo based media organisations’ coverage of 2017 floods (January-March 2017).

Maunganidze Golden

Great Zimbabwe University, Off Old Great Zimbabwe Road, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Online published on 27 July, 2017.

Abstract

The study sought to examine the state of preparedness by media organisations especially community newspapers based in Masvingo province in Zimbabwe in covering natural disasters like floods. The media play a very critical role in helping members of the public with current information that can assist the community to make informed decisions. Thus the media's level of preparedness in giving out information during disaster is a cause for concern because responsible authorities and service providers usually take actions based on the available information. Interviews, participant observations and focus group discussions were used to extract information from responsible authorities as well as key media stakeholders in Masvingo province. The research reveals that community newspapers in Masvingo are not doing enough in amplifying ordinary citizens’ voices during times of natural disaster. Current economic crisis affecting the country has played a significant role in crippling the media in Zimbabwe. Newspapers are no longer able to fulfill their mandate due to economic hardships. The government of Zimbabwe is therefore recommended to empower community newspapers financially so that they would be able to be relevant in their local communities. Media training institutions in Zimbabwe are also recommended to introduce practical courses that help media students from college level to understand the significance of helping communities through amplifying their voices when they are affected by natural disasters.

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Keywords

Disaster, Community, Newspaper, Cyclone, Floods.

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