Story Author(s): Unlisted

News Source: The Patriot (Zimbabwe)

Publication/Broadcast Date: October 4th, 2018

Country(ies): Zimbabwe

Original Source Link:
https://www.thepatriot.co.zw/old_posts/gays-testing-the-waters/

Story Summary:

**This op-ed outlines a false conspiracy theory that Hovelmeier’s coming out was part of a broader political agenda, when in reality he was just getting ahead of unethical journalists who planned to out him.

Topics: Outing, School, Vigilantism, and Workplace

LGBTQI+ Identities: "homosexuality" (abstract) and Gay

Journalistic Issues: Journalistic approach shows clear bias, moralizing, fear mongering, sensationalizing, prejudice, ridicule, etc., Language/terminology is negative/discriminatory/dehumanizing/, LGBTQI+A voices missing entirely (zero), Negative myths/stereotypes are reinforced/perpetuated, Research/context is only false or negative, and Source/subject safety is dangerously disregarded

Rating: 5

Rating Rationale:

The op-ed is littered with dehumanizing statements and characterizations. The call to action near the end, given the political environment and earlier allusions to “guns blazing,” advances a dangerous narrative in a highly-charged climate.