Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
THE media should function as a symbolic eye that mirrors society, providing an honest reflection of society as opposed to past tendencies where some local journalists made it a habit to demonise the country in cahoots with foreign media, President Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking during the launch of the Zimbabwe Media Policy at State House in Harare yesterday, the President said the media should evolve with time and praised Zimpapers, publishers of The Herald, Sunday Mail and Chronicle among other papers, for taking the lead in digital transformation.
The Government, said President Mnangagwa, regarded both public and private media players as strategic cogs towards the achievement of national aspirations.
“It is my expectation that the sector functions as the symbolic ‘eye’ and ‘mirror’ of society, providing an honest and grounded reflection of our realities. This role should never be taken lightly.
“As the media industry and media practitioners inform, scrutinise and influence socio-economic developments, for the betterment of our country, you must be vigilant.
“Your responsible operations should also foster an informed, engaged, constitutional and democratic Zimbabwe.
“The past trends, where media practitioners competed for prominence on the degree to which they demonised our country, has no place in the Zimbabwe we fought for, we are building and we all want,” he said.
The launch of the Zimbabwe Media Policy comes at a time when both global and local media ecosystems are witnessing unprecedented transformation, ushered by emerging technologies.
“It is commendable that the modernisation of Zimpapers is now at an advanced stage. The project aims to make Zimpapers more competitive in the digital age, improve news delivery speed and meet the ever-evolving needs of our audience,” President Mnangagwa said.
Crafted to foster a thriving, diverse and inclusive media landscape, the policy which was launched yesterday is the first integrated and comprehensive attempt to outline the guiding principles and philosophy underpinning Zimbabwe’s media, laws and regulations.
“Through the promulgation of the National Media Policy, we are launching today (yesterday), my Government is strengthening and guaranteeing that our citizens will have access to factual, verified, accurate and reliable information.
“These are all important ingredients to accelerate our country’s national development agenda.
“Further, our philosophy ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-kelwe ngabanikazi balo’, demands that we deploy information in our reach in the context of the unique rich history, culture and vision of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
“Through this policy, my Government seeks to ensure protection against the significant ever-looming threats to facts, ethics, diversity and cultural plurality by the global tech infrastructure.
“Hence our regulatory efforts, content and platform accountability, as well as support for Zimbabwe’s independent content ecosystem, will be enhanced,” he said.
The President said the policy would address the need for and importance of protecting users from exploitative practices and promoting digital literacy so that users safely navigate online environments.
“It is pleasing to note that the formulation and subsequent launch of the Media Policy is in keeping with Sections 61 and 62 of our national Constitution, which sets out fundamental principles guiding our media, practitioners in the sector and access to information,” said President Mnangagwa.
He also noted that the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) was undoubtedly revolutionising social and economic sectors, with the media industry being no exception.
AI, added President Mnangagwa, had reshaped information gathering, analysis, production and dissemination.
“This and other related innovations in science and technology have collectively increased the speed, interactivity and reach of journalism, while also presenting new opportunities and challenges. These relate to accuracy, ethics and information overload, among others.
“The extensive and multi-pronged implications of these developments, especially on the global South, Africa and us in Zimbabwe have the danger of challenging our respective national sovereignty and democracy.”
The Zimbabwean story, said President Mnangagwa, was one of hard work and resilience in the face of adversity brought by various factors including the illegal sanctions and climate change.
“It is a narrative of the people’s victory, for our independence and sovereignty, as well as exposing and shaming our country’s detractors.
“The true and undiluted Zimbabwean story is about us the people who are masters of our own destiny,” said the President.
He urged the media fraternity to influence Zimbabwe’s national brand and strategic image in a manner that reflects its true core characteristics.
“Further, I challenge our media to be also aware of the role it plays in advancing our national interests within the comity of nations through purposeful and focused engagements, guided by our foreign policy.
“I call upon our content creators and all the stakeholders in the sector to help create and showcase our natural and cultural treasures.
“Riding on modern technologies, as well as leveraging digital platforms, I urge you to craft appealing messaging and imagery that attracts both local and foreign capital, investments and tourism, among other socio-economic benefits,” said the President.
He reaffirmed that under his leadership, the media would continue to be Zimbabwe’s cornerstone for promoting unity, peace, social cohesion, harmony and love for the country.
“The Media Policy we are launching is an important cog that must help realise an intricate balance between freedom of expression and the need for content and platform accountability.
“We are a nation strongly rooted in our value systems, dignity and integrity. These cardinal values must result in ethical journalism. Content that harms our country and fellow citizens has no space in our constitutional democracy.
“The law and justice system will take its course on all those who infringe on the rights of others on media platforms.
“The values of Ubuntu/Hunhu, must always inspire us to balance our individual and collective rights,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the country’s narrative had for far too long been deconstructed, distorted and misrepresented and as such, it was time that the variance was rectified.
“As we implement the Media Policy, let us reclaim and correct this anomaly. A truthful, coherent and positive story of Zimbabwe will consolidate our national peace, unity and accelerate our development.
“The time has come for the world to hear the authentic story of who we are and what we stand for, from our own eyes, from our own mouths and from our own media and the people of our motherland.
“Let us, therefore, move forward with determination and unity, empowering our media industry to be a shining beacon for inclusivity and national pride, that advances our national interests and celebrates being Zimbabwean,” he said.
Issues related to market dominance, privacy, misinformation, disinformation and user rights, said the President, were areas that are encapsulated in the new policy.
“In this regard, there must be ripple benefits from regulating big-tech services, including through taxation and fair payment.
“Digital taxes and fair revenue sharing from all media players should contribute to local economies and content creators,” he said.
The President also highlighted the media’s role towards mobilising resources, fostering innovation and creating an environment conducive for investors to set up businesses, as the country marches forward towards an upper middle-income economy.
“However, I challenge the media fraternity, along with other stakeholders, to scale up our ongoing quest to shape a positive image, about our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said the President.
On their part, he said citizens must use various media platforms to accelerate progress, as well as galvanise the nation towards production and productivity across all sectors as well as inclusive growth and the attainment of national development goals.
“No one and no place must be left behind,” he said.
The President then outlined some areas where there has been progress in the media industry.
“To date, my Government continues to implement several development programmes and projects to consolidate the gains of democratising the media space and environment.
“Fourteen community radio stations have been licenced, which have proved crucial in revitalising the indigenous languages and cultures of our great motherland, Zimbabwe.
“By sharing traditional knowledge and fostering community participation, community radio stations are helping to preserve and promote our rich heritage and identity. Capacity-building programmes to guarantee the efficacy of these and other stations will be supported by my administration,” he said.
President Mnangagwa went on: “Under the 2nd phase of the Zim-Digital Programme, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation studios in Bulawayo at Montrose have been digitalised.”
He said funds had also been set aside to develop content creation hubs, which will result in modern media organisations and empower the country’s creatives to produce diverse, high-quality content for a competitive local media industry.
The Media Policy launch was attended by ministers, deputy ministers, media stakeholders and senior Government officials.
The post ‘Media should reflect society honestly’ appeared first on herald.
The post ‘Media should reflect society honestly’ appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.