STATE MEDIA EXPOSED: HOW ZANU PF USED PROPAGANDA TO DISTORT CCC RALLY COVERAGE

In yet another blow to media credibility in Zimbabwe, state-owned broadcasters have once again proven themselves not as impartial public servants, but as mouthpieces for the ruling ZANU PF. In a shocking and deliberate act of disinformation, the state media misrepresented attendance figures at the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rally while massively inflating turnout numbers at a ZANU PF event held on the same day. This episode further exposes the government’s ongoing effort to control the narrative and manipulate public perception ahead of critical national elections.

At the heart of this issue is the CCC rally, a peaceful, well-organized event aimed at advocating for transparency, good governance, and respect for constitutional rights. Independent observers, journalists, and eyewitnesses placed attendance figures at around 10,000. However, state-controlled media outlets — including the national broadcaster ZBC — claimed the rally attracted only 1,000 people. This intentional downplaying of the CCC’s momentum was clearly designed to discredit the movement and undermine public confidence in the opposition’s popularity.

In stark contrast, the ZANU PF rally received glowing coverage. State media, abandoning any pretence of objectivity, declared the event a resounding success with over 50,000 supporters in attendance. This, despite photos, videos, and independent reports indicating a much more modest turnout of roughly 5,000. The figures were grossly exaggerated to manufacture the illusion of mass support for the ruling party and drown out growing dissatisfaction among the population.

This manipulation of facts isn’t just unethical — it’s dangerous. It distorts the democratic playing field by deceiving citizens and attempting to sway public opinion using lies. In any functioning democracy, the media serves as a watchdog, holding power to account and enabling citizens to make informed choices. But in Zimbabwe, the state media has become a tool for propaganda — cherry-picking facts, ignoring dissent, and constructing a parallel reality to suit ZANU PF’s agenda.

This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a wider pattern. Over the years, Zimbabwe’s state media has gained notoriety for biased reporting, censorship, and blatant misinformation. They have systematically silenced alternative voices, misrepresented opposition parties, and glorified ruling party officials while failing to investigate the economic and political crises that continue to plague ordinary citizens.

The danger of such manipulation is clear: it undermines democracy itself. A misinformed electorate cannot make sound choices. When state media prioritizes political loyalty over factual reporting, the entire democratic process becomes a farce. The damage this does to public trust and national cohesion is immeasurable.

In response to this ongoing crisis of trust, Zimbabweans must be more vigilant than ever. Citizens must look to independent media outlets, community reporters, and alternative platforms that continue to publish truth in the face of state-sponsored spin. Civil society must also play its role — advocating for media reform, training citizen journalists, and documenting state abuses in real-time.

Moreover, international observers, press freedom watchdogs, and human rights organisations must take note of these tactics. They should condemn the use of state media for political manipulation and call for reforms that guarantee editorial independence, media plurality, and freedom of expression.

The time has come to hold the state media accountable. Zimbabwe cannot afford a media landscape dominated by falsehoods and propaganda, especially in an election season that will shape the nation’s future. If the government is serious about restoring credibility and building trust, it must ensure that its media institutions serve the people — not the party.

Until then, the burden remains on ordinary Zimbabweans and independent media voices to resist the misinformation and continue telling the truth — boldly, consistently, and without fear. Because in a nation where truth is under siege, honest reporting becomes an act of resistance.