Story by Peter Chivhima
GOVERNMENT has called on the local media to play a more active role in shaping the national narrative and advancing Zimbabwe’s economic aspirations, amid ongoing reforms in the broadcasting and information sector.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, delivered the message on Monday during the launch of Radio 3000, an online radio platform under Jester Media Services.
Dr Muswere said the liberalisation of the media space must translate into content that reflects the nation’s development trajectory and promotes Zimbabwe’s socio-economic progress.
“The success that we have witnessed in terms of the liberalisation of the media sector speaks to the growth of the economy that continues in a positive trajectory and as we journey towards an upper-middle-income society, we should always ensure that we also broadcast in all our 16 officially recognised languages in terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe, so that we ensure that each and every Zimbabwean has a role to play as we create and work together to rebuild our economy.
”This new framework will allow you to be able to broadcast to a global audience, and with digitalisation, as we work together as a team, the role of the media is to inform each and every citizen, to expand markets for our great nation, to bring foreign direct investment, identify domestic investment, help to catalyse and transform the domestic value chains, contribute towards the tobacco transformation, so that we can create the beauty and the jewel of Africa that we all envisage for Zimbabwe, the great Zimbabwe,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s continued efforts to transform the media industry.
“The newly introduced amendments in terms of the Broadcasting Services Act also include internet-based broadcasting, thereby ensuring that we are in a position to tell our own story, to be able to empower our people with knowledge and information related to the economic transformation trajectory that our government has managed to succeed. The success of the engagement and re-engagement strategy, which has brought about and redefined Zimbabwe, is the pinnacle of empowerment in terms of defining international relations,” he added.
Jester Media Services Broadcasting Division Managing Director, Mr Zweli Sibanda, applauded the Second Republic for opening the airwaves.
“This comes amid the marked growth of podcasts in Zimbabwe and around the world, suggesting a significant appetite for on-demand audio content in the country, which Radio 3000 will also seek to capitalise on. This is an exciting time for our group, our viewers, listeners, and readers. With the launch of Radio 3000, we can now offer a 360-degree media and marketing capability to our advertisers,” he added.
The ZBC News crew also had an opportunity to visit the Zimpapers digital Superdesk, with the company’s Group Acting Editorial Executive, Mr Elias Mambo, highlighting the importance of the digital transformation.
“This is a digital newsroom where we integrate all our services. We are happy that we are complementing the government’s vision of digitalisation,” he noted.
By aligning content with the country’s developmental aspirations, the media can become not just a watchdog, but also a nation builder – fostering unity, transparency, and inclusive participation in the national discourse.
