By Margaret Kamba
His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has today launched the Zimbabwe Media Policy which is expected to protect citizens from exploitation.
Speaking from the launch, President Mnangagwa challenged media users to use their access to information to build the country.
"I am honoured to officiate at this occasion, marking the launch of the Zimbabwe Media Policy. This policy comes at a time when both the global and local media ecosystems are witnessing an unprecedented transformation, ushered by emerging technologies," President Mnangagwa said.
"Additionally, Artificial Intelligence is undoubtedly revolutionising all aspects of our social and economic sectors, with the media industry being no exception. Artificial Intelligence has reshaped information gathering, analysis, production, and dissemination. This and other related innovations in science and technology have collectively increased the speed, interactivity and reach of journalism, while also presenting new opportunities and challenges. These relate to accuracy, ethics and information overload, among others.
"The extensive and multi-pronged implications of these developments, especially on the global South, Africa and us in Zimbabwe have the danger of challenging our respective national sovereignty and democracy
"Through the promulgation of the National Media Policy, we are launching today, my Government is strengthening and guaranteeing that our citizens will have access to factual, verified, accurate, and reliable information. These are all important ingredients to accelerate our country’s national development agenda. Further, our philosophy ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,’ demands that we deploy information in our reach in the context of the unique rich history, culture and vision of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. Through this policy, my Government seeks to ensure protection against the significant ever looming threats to facts, ethics, diversity and cultural plurality by the global tech infrastructure."
President Mnangagwa encouraged the citizenry to be wary of the internet and what they find on it.
"The need and importance of protecting users from exploitative practices and promoting digital literacy so that users safely navigate online environments cannot be over emphasised. As the media industry and media practitioners informs, scrutinises and influences socio-economic developments, for the betterment of our country, you must be vigilant. Your responsible operations should also foster an informed, engaged, constitutional and democratic Zimbabwe. The past trends where media practitioners competed for prominence on the degree to which they demonised our country, has no place in the Zimbabwe we fought for, we are building and we all want," he said.
"The role of the media towards mobilising resources, fostering innovation and creating an environment conducive for investors to set up business as we march forward, towards an upper middle-income economy is also applauded. However, I challenge the media fraternity, along with other stakeholders, to scale up our ongoing quest to shape a positive image, about our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
"On their part, citizens must use various media platforms to accelerate progress, as well as galvanise the nation towards production and productivity across all sectors as well as inclusive growth and the attainment of our national development goals. No one and no place must be left behind."