Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
GOVERNMENT says the media plays an important role in propelling development, with strategies being put in place to ensure an improved working environment for journalists.
Officials from the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and other stakeholders are gathered in Masvingo for a week-long strategic planning review workshop.
The meeting which was officially opened this Monday saw the government recognising the importance of the media in propelling the attainment of Vision 2030 aspirations.
“The media in our country plays a central role in keeping the nation informed. We appreciate the role the media played when we recently hosted the 44th SADC summit. Coverage of important issues such as drought, disasters and developments in our country is important hence we strive to ensure an improved working environment.
“The media also drives national development by amplifying messages that are key in making sure that Zimbabwe becomes an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Omphile Marupi said.
“As a ministry, the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind should be your driving force. The tenets of the NDS1 and the development progress made so far should be communicated to all four corners of the world,” added Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira.
Media stakeholders paid tribute to the government for ensuring an improved working environment, with parastatals such as Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Zimpapers and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, among others, pledging their commitment to support the ministry to fulfil its mandate.
“As a national broadcaster we are there to ensure the ministry’s targets are fulfilled, and the government’s vision is attained hence we commit ourselves to keep the nation informed of all the developments in our country, ensure they are educated and entertained through our various media platforms that includes radio, television and digital platform,” said Mr James Chawera representing ZBC.
“The Broadcasting landscape continues to evolve hence the importance of convergence of technologies to ensure we remain competitive. As we ensure our parent ministry fulfil its mandate, we are targeting to continue increasing our coverage after installing a number of digital television transmitters,” Engineer Tendai Kapumha, a BAZ representative added.
The review workshop is running under the theme: “Re-Engineering Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to Facilitate a Two-Way Communication Strategy”.
