Rutendo Nyeve
Victoria Falls Reporter
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has challenged broadcasters across Southern Africa to become architects of regional unity, trade and development, positioning the media as a central force in Africa’s economic and social transformation.
Speaking at the official opening of the Broadcasters Convention–Southern Africa in Victoria Falls yesterday, Dr Muswere called on the media fraternity to redefine its purpose in the 21st century — from being passive conveyors of information to active drivers of integration and progress.
The three-day convention, organised under the auspices of the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA), has drawn delegates from across the region to deliberate on the future of broadcasting in the digital era. SABA, founded in 1993, serves as a platform for collaboration among public broadcasters in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), promoting shared content, policy coordination and regional identity.
Dr Muswere posed a series of probing questions to the delegates, urging them to reflect on the sector’s alignment with continental development goals.
“How do we define the role of SABA in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals? How do we define SABA in terms of the Southern African Industrialisation Plan and the African Union Agenda 2063?” he asked.
Dr Muswere underscored the urgency for broadcasters to generate and control their own narratives, warning that Africa risks losing its voice if it does not take ownership of content creation and digital platforms.
“How best can we maintain relevance by ensuring we broadcast content generated from Southern Africa and from Africa?” he asked.
Dr Muswere highlighted both the promise and the peril of the digital revolution, noting that while advances such as artificial intelligence and digital migration create opportunities, they also raise critical questions about sovereignty and data control.
“Who owns and controls these algorithms? Where is this information stored? Who runs these narratives?” he queried.
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