Story by Yvonne Mkondani
ZIMBABWE has stepped up efforts to combat the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, with government placing media literacy and responsible journalism at the heart of this year’s World Press Freedom Day commemorations.
The commemorations are being held under the theme “Press Freedom as a Bridge, Not a Barrier-Uniting Zimbabwe Through Responsible Journalism.”
In a statement to mark the occasion, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, warned that the rise of fake news, disinformation and artificial intelligence-driven deepfakes poses a serious threat to social cohesion, national security and individual dignity.
“With freedom comes responsibility. The rise of fake news, disinformation, and deepfakes hyper-realistic manipulated content generated by artificial intelligence poses a grave threat to social cohesion, national security, and individual dignity,” said Dr Soda.
He emphasised that press freedom must not be abused to spread falsehoods, stressing that ethical standards remain central to the profession.
“Press freedom does not mean freedom to lie, to manipulate, or to destroy. Every journalist, editor, media house, and citizen sharing content online is called upon to uphold the highest ethical standards,” he said.
To counter the spread of false information, government has launched a nationwide media literacy programme aimed at equipping citizens with critical thinking skills to assess and verify information.
“This initiative is designed to equip citizens with the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate information, distinguish credible sources from false ones, and identify manipulated content such as deepfakes,” Dr Soda added.
The programme will target schools, community centres and digital platforms, with authorities calling on educators, civil society and media institutions to collaborate in its implementation.
Dr Soda noted that an informed and discerning public is key to safeguarding the integrity of the media space.
“A free press must be matched by a discerning public. Without media literacy, even the most ethical journalism can be undermined by a citizenry unable to tell fact from fiction,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted progress made in expanding press freedom under the Second Republic led by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, including legislative reforms and increased access to information.
He said the licensing of more than 40 radio stations, including community broadcasters, reflects government’s commitment to diversifying voices and promoting transparency.
At the same time, Dr Soda urged the media to play a constructive role in nation-building by promoting unity and respecting Zimbabwean values.
“Press freedom should not be a weapon to divide, but a bridge to connect communities, amplify diverse voices, and build a shared national story,” he said.
As the country joins the global community in commemorating World Press Freedom Day, government reiterated its commitment to protecting press freedom while ensuring it is exercised responsibly in the face of evolving digital threats.
