dyton mupawaenda
Farirai Machivenyika in Masvingo
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said community radio stations have an important role to play in the dissemination of authentic information in the face of a rise in fake news propagated on social media.
Dr Muswere said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana, at a graduation of media personnel from the 14 community radio stations currently operating in the country who completed a five-day training course held in conjunction with GZU Campus Radio, the Media Alliance in Zimbabwe among other organisations.
The graduation also coincided with the launch of the inaugural community radio festival by the GZU Campus Radio that will see the station broadcasting from various communities in the province.
“As we strive to bridge the information gap between rural and urban communities, community radio stations are the link that was missing in the information puzzle. In the era of misinformation and dis-information, with social media at the heart of it, the citizenry rely on community radio stations for authentic information.
“I am delighted that this short course dealt with fact- checking, ethical considerations in news gathering in communities, issues of sustainability and content production.
“The relationship between GZU and the community radios here, shows that professional and ethical reporting will remain alive in the broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe,” Dr Muswere said.
He said The Second Republic under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa is implementing many projects for economic development and called for prompt dissemination of that information.
“I challenge the media to take up the task to ensure information is disseminated in real time,” Dr Muswere said.
The Minister said the training came at a time when his ministry was continuously creating a friendly environment for the media to effectively execute its duties without fear or favour.
“In addition, we are making amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act to allow co-regulation of the media unlike the present legal regulation environment. Thus, my presence here is a testimony of the undivided devotion to the sustenance of the newly licenced Community Radios in Zimbabwe.
“In the coming five years, the country is going to witness the licensing of more community radio stations including communities of interest and religious communities,” Dr Muswere said.
He added that community radio stations are key drivers of development and enablers of information dissemination to the citizenry from the grassroots up to the national level.
“This event complements Government’s Education 5.0 whose thrust encompasses having students lead in research and innovation as well as serving the community,” Dr Muswere said.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I congratulate GZU for adapting to new media trends. Allow me to quote a celebrated media scholar, James Curran who says, “New times call for new thinking.” This is the kind of flexibility and reflectivity that we long to see prevailing in our academic institutions”.
The Minister commended the GZU for its commitment to transforming the country’s media environment and said the ministry will consider supporting the University’s vision of establishing a National Journalism and Broadcasting Centre.
GZU acting Vice Chancellor Professor Bernard Chazovachii said the institution was committed to fulfilling Government’s policy of implementing programmes and projects that have a direct impact on people’s lives.
“The GZU has gone beyond flowery theories and has developed programmes that have a direct impact on communities,” Prof Chazovachii said.
Online Reporter