As the nation awaits with keen interest, the hearing of the MDC Alliance court challenge against the Presidential election results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), a cross section of Zimbabweans have appealed for live broadcasting of proceedings as it is of public interest.
Writing on his Twitter account, seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono indicated intention to petition the courts for the live broadcast of the proceedings.
“I think the election court petition must be televised so that our people understand how their courts work.
“I am thinking of writing to the court and making that request as a journalist,” wrote Chin’ono.
Another Twitter user, Blessed Madziva concurred with Chin’ono saying cases of that magnitude have high interest from every stakeholder including voters themselves hence the need to televise to the nation.
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| Zimbabweans Demand Live Broadcasting Of MDC Alliance Court Challenge |
Advanced democracies like South Africa and the United States of America have often televised prominent court proceedings.
Most of the South African television channels broadcasted live the trial of Oscar Pistorius while in the United States, court proceedings on the Bill Cosby ra_pe case were televised with the rest of the world following the events with keen interest.
There were reports that South African journalists have previously sought permission to live broadcast the Constitutional court proceedings.
In an interview with iHarare, political analyst, Maxwell Saungweme said the broadcasting of the Constitutional Court proceedings will ensure the public access to real time facts.
“It think It is a good move as it will make the public have real time facts than relying on alternative facts on social media,” said Saungweme.
Political commentator, Malvern Mkudu said the broadcasting of the Constitutional court challenge will go a long way in promoting access to information in the process creating an open society.
“It’s a step in the right direction for Access to information and towards open societies, it’s a good gesture in public interest,” said Mkudu.
MDC Alliance Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has hinted that the proceedings may be streamed live.
“Attended the case management meeting in the Constitutional Court relating to the presidential election. Glad that the matter will be heard on the 22nd of August. There is a possibility that it may be streamed live,” tweeted Mwonzora.
