Story by Panashe Nagoli
THE Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board Chairperson, Mr Valentine Mutatu, says Zimbabwe is considering a co-regulation model for online broadcasters to promote ethical journalism, protect consumers and safeguard national interests, as authorities respond to rapid changes in the digital media landscape.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Broadcast Evolution Conference in Harare on Thursday, Mr Mutatu said regulation must strike a balance between maintaining standards and preserving innovation.
“Online broadcasters should stick to narratives that promote the national interest and safeguard its interests, and when we say we want to regulate the sector, we are doing it in a manner that protects even the consumer,” he said.
The proposed model comes as Government moves to address growing concerns over unregulated online content amid the shift from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said a flexible framework is needed to keep pace with the evolving media environment.
“There is a need for a co-regulatory and self-regulatory framework that is not resistant to change because the online landscape is ever evolving; we should therefore ensure responsible and accurate dissemination of information,” he said.
He added that the framework would be guided by the Zimbabwe Media Policy and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), while safeguarding freedom of expression.
“We are guided by the Zimbabwe Media Policy and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) in everything we do, and the conversation of online regulation fits exactly into these policies, but should be governed in a manner that does not affect the freedom of expression,” he said.
Media stakeholders also backed the proposal, citing concerns over the spread of unverified information on digital platforms.
Media Alliance of Zimbabwe Coordinator Nigel Nyamutumbu said: “Online broadcasters have often abused the constitutionally provided freedom of expression, which has led to a culture of unverified and inaccurate news, and the proposal of co-regulation addresses that.”
MISA Harare Advocacy Chairperson Mlondolozi Ndlovu added: “The issue of co-regulation is imperative, particularly when we talk of online platforms because this means it is a collaborative effort between those effecting regulation and those affected by it, and building consensus between the two.”
The conference, held under the theme “Regulating the Digital Frontier: Online Broadcasting, Ethics and Co-Regulatory Models”, explored approaches to managing digital content without stifling growth.
Zimbabwe joins other countries, including South Africa, in reviewing regulatory frameworks for online broadcasting as digital platforms continue to expand.
