By ZBC Reporter
Zimbabwe’s media sector has been credited with playing a stabilising role during the Covid-19 pandemic, with senior officials saying responsible reporting helped counter misinformation and build public trust at a critical moment.
Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, said collaboration between Government and media institutions ensured that verified information reached citizens consistently during the health crisis.
Addressing delegates at the Zimbabwe National Defence University yesterday, Mr Mangwana said Zimbabwe’s approach stood in contrast to countries where misinformation about the virus and vaccination undermined public health responses.
“Right from the start, both private and public media were roped in as partners, with full access to information and the decisions that informed those decisions,” he said.
“This removed the temptation to sensationalise issues and promoted responsible reporting.”
Mr Mangwana said the dissemination of accurate Covid-19 information helped raise awareness and reinforce confidence in Government interventions.
“It was quite apparent that media dissemination of Covid information helped greatly to raise awareness, understanding and restore public trust in Government’s intentions,” he said.
He added that broadcasters played a practical role by availing airtime to the national task force at no cost.
“Broadcasters made all their radio stations available to the task force to broadcast pertinent information for free.”
According to Mr Mangwana, the coordinated communication strategy contributed to Zimbabwe’s vaccine rollout, which at one stage ranked among the strongest on the continent.
“We are now at the point where Zimbabwe is in the top five in Africa in terms of vaccine roll-out, thanks to the combined efforts of Government, the media and the public at large,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Business Weekly editor Herbert Zharare said the media must continue working with key national stakeholders to navigate socio-economic and geopolitical challenges.
“Recent global developments that have called for the media to work with authorities to ensure national survival include the effects of the special Russian military operation in Ukraine and the novel coronavirus (Covid-19),” he said.
“When such developments occur, the media should play a critical role in explaining and analysing the likely impact on the nation so that people understand and rally behind Government interventions.
“The media therefore has the responsibility to produce high-quality content that helps society, individuals and nations at large to make informed decisions.”
The reflections underscore ongoing debate about the media’s role during national emergencies, particularly in balancing public information needs with responsible reporting standards.
