Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
TSCZ board chairman, Mr Kura Sibanda 
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has cautioned the public against taking photographs of deceased individuals or those injured at accident scenes.
At the same time, the Council also urged journalists to refrain from spreading misinformation regarding road incidents, as doing so can cause more harm than good.
Speaking at the road safety journalistic awards ceremony in Harare recently, TSCZ board chairman, Mr Kura Sibanda, said the Council was established through an Act of Parliament for the sole purpose of promoting road safety in the country.
“This promotion comes in various forms and ways, including Defensive Driving Training, road safety awareness campaigns, and road safety appraisals to mention but a few. In doing so, stakeholder collaboration and participation are of utmost importance. The media have been a great stakeholder in the dissemination of road safety information.
“Throughout the past year, we have witnessed various broadcasts, articles and reports being generated, aimed at informing, while educating the public about the incidents that occur on our roads and most importantly spreading the gospel of road safety,” he said.
He said effective communication about road safety, whether in the media, in safety campaign materials, or community outreach efforts, plays an important role in ensuring safe mobility for all road users.
“How the public thinks about the problem of traffic injury and fatalities and what can be done about it is significantly influenced by how the media reports on it. It is equally important to acknowledge that the media plays an important role in shaping public awareness and providing information that shapes attitudes and public opinion.
“Media is an increasingly powerful tool whether it’s television, radio, print or the internet. The increasing trend of road crashes and the resulting casualties in Zimbabwe have become a critical concern. The media, due to its power and ability to influence decisions and policies, educate, set the agenda, and provide information and its watchdog role, can help in ending this cancer-calling road carnage that has permeated our society killing children, fathers, and mothers.
“May I take this time to encourage journalists who are in the business of spreading falsehoods, perpetuating the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation, to desist from such practices as it leads to more harm than good especially when reporting issues to do with road carnage. I understand that we are in the era of technology and citizen journalism but let us always remember Ubuntu, our custom and culture of respecting the dead.
“May I take this opportunity to appeal to members of the public to desist from taking pictures of the deceased or even injured, at accident scenes,” Mr Sibanda said.
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