IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA ETHICS IN JOURNALISM PROFESSION

Media ethics is the broad term describing the proper modes of behavior to which all branches of the modern media should attempt to adhere. The branches of the media that try to live up to ethical standards include television, print communications, and the Internet. Different issues arise depending upon the branch of the media in question, issues made more complicated by burgeoning technology. Many of the complications in media ethics arise from the conflict of ethical standards and the media companies' desire to make money.

It's difficult to simplify media ethics, because the issues that stem from different media can be contradictory in nature. What makes sense and seems fine for one branch of the media might cross ethical lines if applied by another. In addition, technological advances have actually created far more ethical dilemmas for media outlets than they have eliminated. All media companies and creators must walk an increasingly fine line to serve the public and stay morally sound.

In addition to the legal rights and obligations set forth in the relevant legal norms, the media have an ethical responsibility towards citizens and society which must be underlined at the present time, when information and communication play a very important role in the formation of citizens' personal attitudes and the development of society and democratic life. The journalist's profession comprises rights and obligations, freedoms and responsibilities. The basic principle of any ethical consideration of journalism is that a clear distinction must be drawn between news and opinions, making it impossible to confuse them. News is information about facts and data, while opinions convey thoughts, ideas, beliefs or value judgments on the part of media companies, publishers or journalists.

News broadcasting should be based on truthfulness, ensured by the appropriate means of verification and proof, and impartiality in presentation, description and narration. Rumour must not be confused with news. News headlines and summaries must reflect as closely as possible the substance of the facts and data presented. Expression of opinions may entail thoughts or comments on general ideas or remarks on news relating to actual events. Although opinions are necessarily subjective and therefore cannot and should not be made subject to the criterion of truthfulness, we must ensure that opinions are expressed honestly and ethically. Opinions taking the form of comments on events or actions relating to individuals or institutions should not attempt to deny or conceal the reality of the facts or data. The media's work is one of "mediation", providing an information service, and the rights which they own in connection with freedom of information depends on its addressees, that is the citizens.

Information is a fundamental right and a human right the owner of the right is the citizen, who also has the related right to demand that the information supplied by journalists be conveyed truthfully, in the case of news, and honestly, in the case of opinions, without outside interference by either the public authorities or the private sector.

The public authorities must not consider that they own information. The representativeness of such authorities provides the legal basis for efforts to guarantee and extend pluralism in the media and to ensure that the necessary conditions are created for exercising freedom of expression and the right to information and precluding censorship. When dealing with journalism it must be borne in mind that it relies on the media, which are part of a corporate structure within which a distinction must be made between publishers, proprietors and journalists. To that end, in addition to safeguarding the freedom of the media, freedom within the media must also be protected and internal pressures guarded against. News organisations must consider themselves as special socio-economic agencies whose entrepreneurial objectives have to be limited by the conditions for providing access to a fundamental right.

News organisations must show transparency in matters of media ownership and management, enabling citizens to ascertain clearly the identity of proprietors and the extent of their economic interest in the media. Inside the news organisation, publishers and journalists must co-exist, bearing in mind that the legitimate respect for publishers' and owners' ideological orientations is limited by the absolute requirements on truthful news reporting and ethical opinions. This is essential if we are to respect the citizens' fundamental right to information.

These requirements are such that we must reinforce the safeguards of the journalist's freedom of expression, for they must in the last instance operate as the ultimate sources of information. In this connection we must legally expand and clarify the nature of the conscience clause and professional secrecy vis-à-vis confidential sources, harmonising national provisions on this matter so that they can be implemented in the wider context of democratic Europe. Neither publishers and proprietors nor journalists should consider that they own the news. News organisations must treat information not as a commodity but as a fundamental right of the citizen. To that end, the media should exploit neither the quality nor the substance of the news or opinions for purposes of boosting readership or audience figures in order to increase advertising revenue. If we are to ensure that information is treated ethically, its target audience must be considered as individuals and not as a mass.

CHALLENGES OF NEW MEDIA ON BASIC JOURNALISTIC VALUES

 Journalist's first obligation is to tell the truth. Its first loyalty is to the citizens. Its essence is discipline of verification. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover. Journalism must serve as an independent monitor of power. It must provide a forum for public criticism and debate. It must strive to make the news significant, interesting, and relevant. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional. Trust and credibility are the foundations of journalism, and the integrity of the journalist is its cornerstone. However, with the emergence and deployment of new media, the journalism profession has faced many challenges. These include lack of objectivity, credibility, emergence of vendetta and citizen journalism, lack of accountability due to the use if pseudonyms and lack of originality through plagiarism of news stories. Fabrication of information has also become very common. 

Chari (2009), notes that the internet has transformed the practices of journalism worldwide. The manner in which news is gathered and disseminated has changed drastically. Journalists no longer adhere to the journalistic ethics and values they are supposed to follow. Gordon & Kittros (1999) define media ethics as a ‘field that deals with nearly an endless array of gray areas where issues and appropriate courses of action are not clearly demarcated. Although the emergence of new media has improved journalism in a number of ways, they have been the root of all unethical reporting. One should support Lasica (1997)’s argument that technology does not make ethics old fashioned hence, they should be followed.

New media has resulted in lack of objectivity that is the dissemination of unverified facts to the public. This has resulted in the public being given false information or stories with little truth. Fabrication has increased since the introduction of new media in Zimbabwe. Chari (2009) argues that the eye of the reporter is now fixed on scooping, rather than ensuring that facts are correct. This clearly shows that ICTs have brought unethical values into play and basic journalistic values have been eroded. Lack of objectivity online can also be linked to ownership structures. Online media still adheres to the owner or investor’s interests. For example, zimpapers online is biased towards the ruling party, ZANU-PF, like its print media. The stories published online, lack objectivity- they are one sided (unbalanced) and polarised.

Bradley (2001) argues that most of the stories online lack credibility is because of the obsession of speed. Most journalists or online papers want to be the first ones to update news or events. News updates are often posted as they happen, which allows early access to information at the expense of the accuracy of the content, Arrant (2000). They take less time checking their stories, thereby undermining journalism. There is need to follow ethical guidelines in new media.

The internet in Zimbabwe is now practising vendetta journalism. Kasoma (1996:99) defines it as journalism that is filled with hatred and dislike against certain people. Abusive language is used, there is selective use of facts that paint a bad picture and the person attacked is not approached for comment. This kind of journalism has effects on the personal life of an individual and that is, defamation of character, financial and social ruin.

Anonymity is accepted more readily online than in mainstream news media. Codes of mainstream media ethics caution journalists to use anonymous sources sparingly. The codes warn journalists that people may use anonymity to take unfair or untrue “photo shots” at other people, for self-interest reasons, John (2012). Anonymity is praised as allowing freedom of speech and sometimes helping to expose wrong doing. However, it is a challenge to basic journalistic values in that it encourages irresponsible and harmful comments. The use of pseudonyms has also been a major challenge brought by the new media. The use of anonymity on its own is not a challenge since citizens would want to discuss sensitive issues without being identified. It has become a challenge in that news stories now lack accountability. Journalists are now not accountable to the public as the hide behind fake identities. Pseudonyms have also brought fabrication as a challenge where media practitioners cook up new stories and disseminate them to the public.

Lack of originality has risen due to plagiarism of information. Information gotten from other articles whether online or print has not been clearly or properly attributed. Media practitioners now take other people’s work and write it as their own without acknowledging the source of that information. Therefore, this plagiarism has caused lack of originality in news stories. Creativity and uniqueness of news stories has been killed as the information which is being disseminated is plagiarised from the internet or print.

ICTs have caused a number of ethical and professional journalism dilemmas on journalism profession. There has been lack of objectivity and credibility in online publications. Journalists have also had an obsession of wanting to be the first to disseminate information without checking the facts. From this, one can clearly see that some of the old ethical challenges are being enforced by the new media. Vendetta journalism also emerged after the introduction of ICTs in Zimbabwe also the use of pseudonyms has become a huge challenge on basic journalistic values.

PROF MOYO CONDEMNS ARREST OF JOURNALISTS

The Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minster, Jonathan Moyo conemned the arrest of journalist as he said that criminal defamation laws breached the new Constitution. Moyo said this following the arrest of Dailynews Editor Stanley Gama and reporter Fungisai Kwaramba. These two were picked up by the police for questioning in relation to a story published in January about businessman Mr Kamal Khalfan accusing him of shady dealings and being a homosexual. Gama and Kwaramba were questioned at Highlands Police Station after Mr Khalfan made a criminal defamation report against them.

Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said the arrest was unnecessary and individuals should not pursue “personal matters” through the police. Prof Moyo is on record saying criminal defamation laws breached the new Constitution. Chapter 9:23 of Section 96 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act is due to be repealed as it has been found to be contrary to the Constitution. Prof Moyo said his ministry reviewed the constitutionality of criminal defamation in terms the new Constitution and concluded there was no legal basis for retaining a law that was against progressive values rooted in the liberation struggle.

“To be honest with you, I hope the reports in question are not true because the reported action is not necessary at all and risks entangling the police in personal matters that are best left to the offended individuals to pursue in the courts through their own resources and on their own through civil litigation,” he said.

“As such, we believe we need to align the Criminal Law Code with the Constitution by removing criminal defamation from our statutes. Our ministry recently deployed an Information and Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI), which is fighting criminal defamation among other enemies of our national development and advancement as an empowered society.”

Prof Moyo said there was “something medieval” about sending anyone to jail on the grounds that they had lied. “While our much-respected police should indeed be left alone to get on with their work without hindrance, it cannot be right that their otherwise excellent work should include investigating whether so-and-so in the media has told a defamatory lie against so-and-so among the rich or influential in high society,” he said.

“It is worse when the matter is elevated to prosecution, as if we are not aware of the case backlog that is crippling our criminal justice system. And let’s face it, there’s something medieval about sending anyone to jail on grounds that they have told a lie.

“That is why criminal defamation or libel is no longer in the statute books of constitutional democracies such as ours.”

Sources close to investigations said the matter was in relation to a story published in the Daily News in January 2014, which said Mr Khalfan was in a bitter contest with his Omani compatriot Mr Thamer Al Shanfari over a German investor.

The paper reported that a series of e-mails between Mr Khalfan and Mr Dietrich Herzog revealed money laundering and accusations of gay activities. The report dragged in the names of top Government officials. Last month, Mr Khalfan sued the Daily News for US$10 million over some of the stories, with the newspaper responding by filing an appearance to defend.

Mr Khalfan said the Daily News had damaged his reputation by publishing the articles without giving him the right to respond.
According to a report by the Herald online, Gama and Kwaramba were questioned at Highlands Police Station after Mr Khalfan made a criminal defamation report against them. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi could not divulge further details. “We confirm that Stanley Gama and Fungisai Kwaramba were picked up by police in connection with criminal defamation allegations,” he said. “We have interviewed them and released them in connection with the ongoing investigations.”

PRESIDENT MUGABE BOYCOT EU/AU SUMMIT.

President Robert Mugabe’s boycott of the EU/AU summit have been described as "insignificant" as most African leaders apparently ignored his call to snub the gathering. It is claimed that Mugabe overestimated his continental influence when he boycotted the 4th EU/AU summit hoping that other African countries would follow suit.

A foreign ministry official said the Zimbabwe leader, 90, would not be attending a mammoth EU-Africa summit in Brussels next week due to a 'disagreement on the composition of our delegation'. Mugabe and his wife Grace, 48, remain targeted by an Europe-wide travel ban but the restriction can be suspended temporarily to allow the head of state to attend international forums.

The Mail Online reported that Zimbabwe had earlier urged the African Union as a whole to boycott the summit after the EU refused to lift a ban on Grace Mugabe joining her husband's delegation. Mrs Mugabe is famous for the shopping trips to Europe she would make before being placed under sanctions, and is often referred to as the First Shopper, rather than First Lady, at home in Zimbabwe. Sources said the ageing Zimbabwean leader cannot travel far without his wife who administers jabs of medication drugs.

The summit which is held at Brussels, Belgium brings together African and European leaders and is running under the theme "Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace". It is aimed at discussing issues of women and youth, education, legal and illegal migrant flows between continents and ways to stimulate growth and job creation among other things. It will bring together representatives of 90 nations from both continents, including 65 heads of state and government.

SW Radio Africa said that Mugabe refused to travel to Brussels for the summit, in an apparent protest against the refusal by the EU to allow his wife Grace to accompany him. The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell’Ariccia, last week said the bloc had not given a visa to Grace because there was no program for wives of presidents and there was no need for her to attend.

Only South African President Jacob Zuma appeared to go along with Mugabe in boycotting the summit, but his government was quick to point out that he was not attending because of other commitments.

Elliot Pfebve, the newly appointed MDC-T chief representative to the EU, said most delegates thought Mugabe’s decision to boycott was based on ‘emotion and concerns for his family rather than what is best for Zimbabwe.’

Pfebve, who was in Brussels attending a two day EU/AU business forum at the beginning of this week, said that Zimbabwe could have benefited substantially, due to the presence of high level investors.

The business forum was attended by leading business personalities across the globe, diplomats, chief executives of multi-nationals, former Presidents of various countries in Africa as well as current leaders on the continent.

Dr Manyeruke a ZANU PF loyalist said the continent should unite and review its relationship with Europe and consider partnering with other regions which consider Africa as an equal partner.

Some analysts also loyal to Robert Mugabe said lack of unity towards the EU-Africa partnership is a reflection that Africa is still a divided continent as it was in colonial times.

They said despite the beautiful resolutions and policies that they adopt, these are never implemented as the African leaders bow down to the tactics of divide and rule by Europe and the United States.

Another analyst and historian, Edward Tome loyal to the ageing tyrant said African leaders attending the summit are doing it to please big brother, Europe.

Robert Mugabe is on record saying the current crop of African leaders leaves a lot to be desired, unlike the founding fathers who include Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, just to mention a few.

Meanwhile, Zanu PF party has applauded President Robert Mugabe for taking a courageous, firm and principled stance of boycotting the EU-Africa Summit.

In a statement, the party said the EU approach of determining the delegation of African countries to the summit was not only in breach of international law, it all went against a binding and existing agreement between the EU and Africa to recognise all parties as equals.

“We see President Mugabe’s stance immensely commendable and consistent with his virtues of self determination, independence and sovereignty,” read the statement.

 Mugabe, President Jacob Zuma of South African and President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia are not attending the EU-Africa Summit.

“We wish equally to applaud South African President Jacob Zuma for taking a principled position in solidarity with President Mugabe and we wish to take this opportunity to urge all those African countries with a clear grasp of history to emulate these heroic deeds,” the statement read.

The party said any attempt at perpetuating western domination will be resisted by the continent and Zimbabwe.

PRESIDENT MUGABE TOURS FORMER GOVERNOR GONO'S FARM

President Mugabe’s unannounced visit to Dr. Gideon Gono’s farm, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has set tongues wagging. Speculations increased last week that President Mugabe has been grooming Gono for the cabinet post and the presidency. In a report by Nehanda Radio it said that the 90 year old Zanu PF leader commended Gono for the massive project underway at his, farm and narrated how he started a similar but much smaller project at his rural home in Zvimba a few years ago. 

Mugabe’s unannounced tour to Gono’s chicken farm last week was full of praise. President Mugabe said: “I started doing some chickens at home and I thought I was doing quite a big project, some 3 000-4 000 (birds).” But President Mugabe said Dr Gono’s project dwarfed his with the former central bank boss planning to grow it even larger. Dr Gono produces both birds and eggs and the business seeks to cater for both local and foreign markets, thus netting the country hard currency. He is also a cattle rancher of note.

President Mugabe tours former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono’s chicken project at New Donnington Farm in Norton, Nehanda Radio.

According to NehandaRadio article, Zimbabwe imported chickens from South Africa at the height of economic collapse as local producers failed to meet demand. The cheap imports were condemned by local poultry producers as they suffocated indigenous farmers who benefited under the Government’s land reform program me. Last year two suspicious fires within two months at the farm raised suspicion that Gono was being targeted due to fierce factional fighting within Zanu PF. Workers at the farm described the fire as having a yellow to a strong blue coloration at base level alleging that it was clearly not a normal fire. In January this year it was reported that Gono was allegedly failing to pay workers at the many companies he owns and that his business empire was struggling to keep afloat. Employees said they had not been paid, with some saying they were owed money dating back to more than a year ago.

Political analysts however, have said that Gono’s chances of landing the cabinet post and presidency were slim considering his lack of political clout and the complexion nature of Zanu PF’s succession matrix. NewsDay reported that there has been wide speculation that Gono was being groomed, but it intensified last Friday after Mugabe toured the former central bank governor’s New Donnington Farm in Norton. Mugabe for the first time in long time last week defended Gono’s credentials and right to ascend to higher political office despite blatant opposition from some within the Zanu PF and the government. The analyst said while Mugabe publicly endorsed Gono, the Zanu PF leader could not implement far reaching changes to the politburo and Cabinet before the party’s congress in December.


Comments from the University of Zimbabwe, political scientist Professor Eldred Masunungure said that the praises were only anecdotal that Mugabe has a special interest in Gono and that attempts by political rivals to put a wedge between the two  had failed. He said: " Mugabe is playing his cards close to his chest . The appointment to Cabinet is a long shot-maybe after the congress because Mugabe has been unhappy about the performance of some of his Ministers. However, Gono's chances of becoming a compromise candidate to take over from Mugabe were remote considering his lack of political shrewdness. Gono is not politically astute to navigate the crocodile infested waters in ZANU PF. I also do not see him succeeding Mugabe because he is to devisive a factor to take over especially that he is a leading player in one of the factions intending to succeed Mugabe.

Other Zanu Pf heavyweights touted as contenders in the succession race include Vice President Joice Mujuru, Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramai and the Minister of Media and Information Jonathan Moyo

GOVERNOR MANGUDYA'S PhD QUESTIONED.

It has emerged that the newly appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), John Mangudya attained his PhD in Business Administration from an unaccredited institution of higher learning, Washington International University (WIU).
According to information at hand, Mangudya is a holder of several qualifications that make him fit for the central bank position, but it is the PhD at WIU that has set tongues wagging. He also holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Economics degrees from the University of Zimbabwe. WIU is described by Wikipedia as: “An unaccredited institution of higher education founded in 1994 and currently incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. “It describes itself as a ‘university without borders’ serving clients from around the world via distance education.” The university’s website states that WIU’s graduates were from 112 countries.
Mangudya could not comment on the matter, saying he was in a meeting.
Asked to comment on Mangudya’s qualifications  and academic profile, Makoni said: ‘I don’t know what certificates he holds and neither do I know which universities he went to; all I know is that he is competent and professional.’ However, Makoni said that Mangudya’s job will not be easy because of the political and economic challenges which the country faces. He said: ‘The question is will he be allowed to operate according to his competence and qualification or he will be interfered with politically, which has been the problem for his predecessor.’ He added: ‘The many challenges which the economy faces will without any doubt make his job very difficult and stressful.’
Wikipedia said: “Lack of accreditation has consequences for WIU degree holders in some circumstances. For instance, the Michigan Civil Service Commission lists WIU among unaccredited institutions from which degrees will not be accepted to satisfy educational requirements indicated on job specifications.”
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) lists degrees awarded from WIU as “sub-standard” meaning according to the THECB in this case, a degree conferred outside the United States by an institution that the coordinating board determined was not the equivalent of an accredited or authorised degree. The THECB described WIU as having no accreditation from a CB (Coordinating Board) recognised accreditor. “There are no textbooks to read, curriculum to follow or formal exams to take.”

NEW GOVERNOR FOR THE RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE APPOINTED

President Robert Mugabe has appointed John Mangudya to head the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) at a time when the central bank's power and influence have greatly diminished.Mangudya replaces Gideon Gono who was also head of CBZ before assuming charge at the central bank in 2003. Gono stepped down from the RBZ last year, leaving his deputy Charity Dhliwayo running the apex bank as acting governor.This appointment was confirmed by Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa on Sunday.Zimbabwe ditched its local currency in 2009 in favour of the U.S. dollar, leaving the RBZ unable to set interest rates or bail out troubled banks.

Commenting on the appointment, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa told The Sunday Mail that he looked forward to Dr Mangudya’s contribution at the central bank. He said the new RBZ chief believes in “discretionary fiscal and monetary policies”. “His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, R. G. Mugabe, has appointed Dr John Panonetsa Mangudya Governor of the Reserve of Bank of Zimbabwe with effect from 1 May 2014 for a period of five years,” he said

A brief history on Dr. Mangudya given by Radio Voice Of People stated that “Dr Mangudya is a Keynesian economist who believes in discretionary fiscal and monetary policies and in the rational expectations hypothesis.” Dr Mangudya is an economist and former chief executive of one of the country’s best performing commercial banks. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Economics degrees from the University of Zimbabwe as well as a Doctorate in Business Administration from Washington International University. He began his career in 1986 as an economist with the Reserve Bank until 1996 when he joined the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as regional manager in charge of Southern Africa. He joined CBZ Bank Limited at the turn of the millennium as general manager (international banking). He rose through the ranks, becoming executive director (corporate and merchant banking) in 2004 and managing director in 2006 before his appointment as chief executive in 2009. Dr Mangudya is also former Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe president.In 2012, he became group chief executive officer of CBZ Holdings Limited. The group has grown and consolidated its position under his leadership, which advocated what has come to be known as the “One CBZ business model”. He is also the board chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe and the Agricultural Marketing Authority of Zimbabwe.

The former RBZ Governor, Dr Gideon Gono, said  "This appointment is a sure confidence booster to the financial markets and this economy in general. Mangudya is one man I know will be equal to the task and challenges ahead. He obviously will find both deputy governors Dr Charity Dhliwayo and Dr Kupukile Mlambo incredible pillars of support technically and experience wise, together with the dedicated team of professionals I left behind. I join all my predecessors in welcoming Dr Mangudya aboard the community of governors,” said Dr Gono. Dr. Gono welcomed Dr Mangudya whom he worked with to turn around the CBZ.

In a report given by Sw Radio Africa, Former finance minister Simba Makoni said he knows Mangudya at both a personal and professional level and he is confident that ‘he will measure up to the task.’ Makoni said: ‘I know he is competent and I know he does things on the straight and narrow.’ On Mangudya’s academic profile Makoni said: ‘I don’t know what certificates he holds and neither do I know which universities he went to; all I know is that he is competent and professional.’ However, Makoni said that Mangudya’s job will not be easy because of the political and economic challenges which the country faces. He said: ‘The question is will he be allowed to operate according to his competence and qualification or he will be interfered with politically, which has been the problem for his predecessor.’ He added: ‘The many challenges which the economy faces will without any doubt make his job very difficult and stressful.’

University of Zimbabwe economics lecturer Mr Innocent Makwiramiti welcomed the appointment. He said Dr Mangudya had the necessary exposure and experience to head the central bank. “I think considering his experience and exposure the good doctor has the requisite exposure and experience,” he said. “The man has managed to transform the CBZ to one of the best-performing banks in the country. I have no doubt in my mind that he will perform. Remember, CBZ used to handle Government funds before this function was transferred to the RBZ.” AAG founder Dr Philip Chiyangwa said Dr Mangudya’s track record of assisting black businesspeople is well documented and proves that he is the right candidate for the job as the country charts its economic destiny. “Some of us and many businesspeople out there who have worked closely with Dr Mangudya have so much confidence in him. His track record and experience as a shrewd banker speaks for itself. This is really a confidence booster and we are sure that he will take the central bank to greater heights, especially at this time when Zimbabwe is charting its economic destiny through ZimAsset,” said the businessman.

An economist, Mr Blessing Sakupwanya, said Dr Mangudya was an experienced financial services expert.
“The market was expecting his appointment. He has shown that he can adapt in any situation because the man is an experienced banker. No one matches his experience because Dr Mangudya has been involved in many sectors of the economy during his tenure at CBZ,” he said.

Tony Hawkins, who is an economist and RBZ board member, said the new governor will face a ‘restricted role’ because the country doesn’t have its own currency. Hawkins said while Mangudya is both experienced and ‘well trained’ the governor’s job is ‘seriously constrained by the dollar economy.’ He said ‘money supply is obviously out of the bank’s control.’