Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in Beijing, China
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, today had an extensive tour of China Group Television Network (CGTN) headquarters in Beijing, China, where he was shown the network’s technologically advanced broadcasting facilities, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence.
Dr Soda was accompanied by Chief Director of Government Messaging and Programmes Mr Jonathan Gandari, Zimbabwe embassy staff, and 11 Zimbabwean journalists.
During the tour, Dr Soda witnessed firsthand the network’s broadcasting infrastructure, which is heavily driven by AI technology. CGTN has placed significant focus on AI-driven newsrooms, alongside its ultra-high-definition production facilities and expansive global digital reach. The delegation further learned that CGTN monitors all global events across all news segments, ensuring comprehensive coverage of developments worldwide.
The delegation heard that as of this morning, CGTN had an audience of 629,964,558, with 201,246,882 users and 5,313,697 new users in the last 30 days.
The Minister further heard that CGTN has prioritised serving the Global South audience and countering Western narratives, with AI playing a key role in news production and distribution.
A representative of the media group, Liu Yunzhe, said: “To meet global demand for our products we have a huge team here and three offices in Nairobi (Kenya), London (United Kingdom) and Washington DC.
“We work closely with about 800 people from correspondents, news anchors in those three sub-headquarters,” said Liu Yunzhe.
“Our slogan at CGTN is ‘To see the Difference’ and the difference is bias from Western media.
“We want to offer objective news to the Global South.”
The network has an expansive news distribution network and is expanding globally, including to Zimbabwe.
“Some of our partners are from Zimbabwe and have subscription accounts,” she said.
Giving his impression of the tour at Zimbabwe House Dr Soda said he was impressed by the media house set up and said there are valuable lessons to leant and implementing.
“Our vist to CGTN has been eye opening and we have been shown around how work is organised in terms of collection of news, production and distribution in various news platforms.
“Most importantly the team that works be supported by a team experts in morden technology like IT personal.
“That helps in preparation of news that aligns with morden trends. It has been interesting,” he said.
