Story by Fungai Jachi
Public Relations practioners have been challenged to prioritise inclusive strategies and ethical practices in the execution of their duties as they play a critical role in shaping public opinion.
Speaking at the Institute of Public Relations and Communications Zimbabwe Excellence Awards held in Harare on Friday night, the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere highlighted the important role that public relations and communications play in modern life while emphasising the need for effective communication.
“By prioritising inclusive strategies and ethical practices, public relations and communications personnel can shape perceptions, drive demand and create lasting social change, helping build a sustainable and resilient economy. Public Relations plays a crucial role in amplifying these initiatives and ensuring our communities are engaged and informed. You have to do your part to ensure the narratives you push are not harmful to the country’s image,” he said.
President of the Institute for Public Relations and Communications Zimbabwe, Dr Fungayi Murahwa, emphasized the importance of ethics in public relations, urging practitioners to uphold moral standards in their duties.
“As more take up space in the field of PR and Communications, what is more important is for them to be ethical and professional. There has been growth in the industry and we are happy that most now understand the importance of PR in organisations,” Murahwa said.
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) received the prestigious Platinum Award for outstanding corporate branding in the public sector
ZBC Public Relations officer, Elscent Tairowodza said, “On behalf of ZBC, we are happy that we have been recognised for our hard work. It is always a good thing to stand out.”
Several institutions and corporates also received awards.
