By Shadreck Gurenje
President Mnangagwa has said the Zimbabwean story is one of hard work and resilience.
Giving his Keynote address launching the Zimbabwe Media Policy, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Second Republic regards both the public and private media as strategic cogs towards achieving the national development aspirations and Vision 2030.
“The Zimbabwean story is one of hard work and resilience amid adversity, such as the illegal sanctions and climate change. It is a narrative of the people’s victory, for our Independence, and sovereignty, as well exposing and shaming our country’s detractors.
“The true and undiluted Zimbabwean story is about us the people who are masters of our own destiny. The media must influence Zimbabwe’s national brand and strategic image in manner that reflects these core characteristics. Further, I challenge our media to be also aware of the role it plays in advancing our national interests within the comity of nations through purposeful and focused engagements, guided by our Foreign Policy.
“ I call upon our content creators and all the stakeholders in the sector to help create and showcase our natural and cultural treasures. Riding on modern technologies, as well as leveraging digital platforms, I urge you to craft appealing messaging and imagery that attracts both local 10 and foreign capital, investments and tourism, among other socio-economic benefits. “Let us, therefore, move forward with determination and unity, empowering our media industry to be a shining beacon for inclusivity and national pride, that advances our national interests and celebrates being Zimbabwean,”said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also said the National media policy will go a long way in strengthening and guaranteeing that citizens will have access to factual ,accurate, and reliable information.
“We are the custodians of our own stories and narratives. For far too long, our narrative has been deconstructed, distorted and misrepresented. As we implement the Media Policy, let us reclaim and correct this anomaly.
“A truthful, coherent and positive story of Zimbabwe will consolidate our national peace, unity and accelerate our development. The time has come for the world to hear the authentic story of who we are and what we stand for, from our own eyes, from our own mouths and from our own media and the people of our motherland,”said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also reiterated that government continues to implement several development programmes and projects to consolidate the gains of democratising the media space and environment.
“To date, my Government continues to implement several development programmes and projects to consolidate the gains of democratising the media space and environment.
“ Community Radio Stations have been licenced, which have proved crucial in revitalising the indigenous languages and cultures of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. By sharing traditional knowledge and fostering community participation, Community Radio Stations are helping to preserve and promote our rich heritage and identity. Capacity-building programmes to guarantee the efficacy of these and other stations, will be supported by my Administration.
“It is commendable that the modernisation of Zim-papers is now at an advanced stage. The project aims to make Zim-papers more competitive in the digital age, improve news delivery speed and meet the ever-evolving needs of our audience. 8 Under the 2nd phase of the Zim-Digital Programme, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation studios in Bulawayo at Montrose have been digitalised.
“Funds have also been set aside to develop content creation hubs, which will result in modern media organisations and empower our creatives to produce diverse, high-quality content for a competitive local media industry,”said President Mnangagwa.