Story by Oleen Ndori
THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has convened a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop bringing together independent content creators and industry experts to assess the state of content creation in Zimbabwe and explore collaborative models that can shape the sector’s future.
The engagement is aimed at strengthening partnerships between the national broadcaster and independent producers, while aligning locally generated content with national development priorities.
Addressing participants, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the workshop was a practical step towards implementing the Media Policy launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2025.
Dr Muswere said the policy provides a clear framework for building a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable content ecosystem that reflects Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political aspirations.
He emphasised that content produced for national platforms must be consistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees access to information and promotes the use, practice and development of diverse languages, cultures and traditions.
“Content must speak directly to the aspirations of the nation while promoting diversity and inclusion. Our media must inform, educate and entertain in a manner that reflects who we are as Zimbabweans,” Dr Muswere said.
The Minister also revealed that ZBC has set aside funding to support local content generation, a move intended to empower independent creators and enhance the quality and quantity of Zimbabwean-produced programming.
He said the funding initiative is designed to ensure that content creators have the resources required to produce material that is competitive, relevant and impactful, while contributing to national development.
The stakeholder engagement is expected to deliberate on key issues affecting the sector, including strengthening the national content ecosystem, reimagining content production in the era of artificial intelligence, and bridging the gap between content creation, reach and audience impact.
The workshop comes at a time when the broadcasting sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital technologies, changing audience preferences and the growing influence of independent creators in shaping public discourse.
