Online Reporter
Michelle Musandinyoze
MEDIA and information literacy is critical in the attainment of Vision 2030, a national development plan to transform the country into an upper middle-income economy and the media plays a critical role in disseminating information that promotes positive national dialogue and economic development.
This was said by Mr Jonathan Gandari, the Chief Director in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, at a Media and Information Literacy Policy consultative meeting in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
The consultative meeting is being attended by government agencies, media practitioners, educational institutions, civil society and the private sector.
Mr Gandari said the successful implementation of the National Development Strategy (NDS1) – 2021 to 2025 – and NDS2 which is set to start next year for the next five years was achievable when citizens are able to evaluate information, discern credible sources and participate meaningfully in the nation’s economic development.
“We know that to attain vision 2030 in the age of rapid technological advancement and digital transformation, media and information literacy is critical.
“For the economic transformation that we set for ourselves to attain to be achievable, our citizens require the skills to critically evaluate information, discern credible sources, and participate meaningfully in our economic thrust, where Zimbabwe is Open for Business and we require equitable development that does not leave any place or anyone behind,” said Mr Gandari.
“As a Government, we recognise that an informed populace is the backbone of a resilient democracy and a vibrant country that is built by its people step by step and brick by brick,” he said.
Mr Gandari said when the Media and Information Literacy Policy consultative process is completed, a comprehensive framework that promotes responsible media consumption, supports media literacy education across all levels and combats misinformation and disinformation will be established.
“Today’s consultations are an opportunity for stakeholders from diverse sectors to share insights, experiences, and recommendations. All the contributions will be instrumental in shaping a policy that is inclusive, effective, and sustainable,” he said.
He said today’s technological advanced societies some people are overloaded with information while others are starved for it, but the common denominator is that everywhere people yearn to participate in governance processes and cultural exchanges.
“Today, when we live our lives both offline and online, it is not always easy to draw a distinct line between life on the web and real life.
“When we talk about freedom of expression, media, and information, we must realise that media and information literacy is a key competence in a rapidly evolving communicative society,” he said.
Mr Gandari said 21st century societies are driven by media and technologies, including AI (Artificial Intelligence) thus the media space is flooded with misinformation, hate speech, disinformation, media warfare, lies, manipulation, and other illusions packaged as facts.
“We know that freedom of expression cannot be contemplated without thinking about the media – a public sphere so vital to the function of society. The ongoing process of digitisation has altered the function of the media as well as the structures of governance and the nature of markets. Our communication system is changing in terms of time and space, and modes of social behaviour, “he said.
