By Bridget Mazivofa
Historically riddled with stereotypes, omission, and misrepresentation, Zimbabwe’s media narrative coverage on LGBTI community is beginning to reflect depth, dignity, and resilience—thanks in large part to deliberate efforts by freelance journalists who spearheaded inclusive media engagements across the country.
For years, media imagery surrounding the community leaned heavily on exaggerated tropes and iconography that reinforced stigma.
Photos used to accompany stories were either conspicuously cropped to hide identities, or sensationalized to provoke curiosity rather than understanding. Articles rarely depicted members of the key population in empowering settings or roles, and when visuals were used, they often lacked consent or context.
Veteran journalist Simbarashe Mupamhanga, reflecting on his earlier work, admitted that many stories leaned into conflict-driven narratives.
“When I first started reporting on these issues, I was unaware of the biases I held,” he said. It was through structured workshops—organized by a network Freelance Journalists-that his approach began to change.
Visual artist Munogwei Mambabvu, whose recent collaboration with journalists produced a photo essay on community life, emphasized the cultural power of imagery.
“Images speak volumes. They can either uplift or harm,” he noted, standing among vibrant canvases in his Harare studio. His work now focuses on representing joy, intimacy, and empowerment—elements previously absent from mainstream portrayals.
Visual narratives curated through joint initiatives between journalists and artists are challenging the status quo.
These stories highlight leadership, artistry, and civic engagement among key populations, creating a more balanced public understanding.
The response from readers, according to Munogwei, has been overwhelmingly positive—suggesting a growing appetite for authentic representation.
This progress was made possible through sustained media engagements, led by freelance journalists across Zimbabwe, which culminated in the creation of a landmark Reporting Guide for media practitioners.
Developed through collaborative workshops facilitated by Freelance Journalists, the guide equips editors and reporters with tools to ethically navigate visual and written coverage. It emphasizes informed consent, contextual framing, respectful language, and the value of lived experience in shaping storylines.
Simba highlighted the guide’s impact on his editorial choices. A recent feature he authored focused on an activist’s achievements, rather than their struggles—an approach born of intentional reframing.
“Every story I tell now carries the weight of understanding,” he said.
In a media ecosystem where visuals have often led narratives, the need for reform was urgent. Responsible imagery and informed storytelling aren’t just aesthetic improvements—they’re essential acts of cultural reparation.
When members of key populations are shown living, leading, and thriving, it counters years of marginalization and redefines public empathy.
The Reporting Guide is more than a manual—it’s a compass for inclusive journalism.
As Zimbabwe’s media sector evolves, it must hold onto the ethos that visibility should never come at the expense of dignity, and storytelling should reflect the fullness of human experience.
That ethos, now embedded through strategic engagements by freelance journalists, is steering the country toward a richer, more ethical media future.
News Sport Online 