Leaving Propaganda Behind You

For many years the predominant picture in the media was this:

"President Mugabe deserves Nobel Peace Prize," said one headline last month.

But then Zimbabwe started to undergo political change, and not only to its society did this mean a new reality, but for journalists, too. Those at the Herald, owned by the government, had for years been writing only positive things aligned with whatever was good for Robert Mugabe. He ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years and many journalists were born after he assumed power. 

They didn't know any different reality and reported as it was ordered. Suddenly, almost overnight, they are "able to write what they want". In the newsroom, where the team of journalists gathered

Nyathi looked around at the other editors and reporters and muttered under his breath, "Well, what do I do now?

This article may make you laugh a bit, but it also reminds you of how important press freedom is. Especially these days where in many, even European, countries those liberties are more limited.