Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A leading Swedish media development organisation, Fojo Media Institute, is set to collaborate with local institutions to train female journalists in investigative journalism and climate‑change reporting starting next year.
Fojo Media is an independent institution at Linnaeus University.
The organisation uses its experience in Sweden and internationally to build institutional and individual capacity around the world.
Yesterday, lecturers from various institutions in Zimbabwe and the region toured the Zimpapers integrated newsroom at Herald House, where they were taken through the operations of the converged multimedia set‑up.
The tour was organised by the Zimbabwe Journalism Educators Network (ZIJEN), with a view to learning how Zimpapers reports on climate change and investigative journalism.
The visiting lecturers teach climate‑change reporting and investigative journalism.
They were drawn from Great Zimbabwe University, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Harare Polytechnic, the University of Zambia, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Aga Khan University in Kenya, Linnaeus University in Sweden and institutions in Rwanda.
In November last year, Zimpapers commissioned its new digital‑first newsroom after the country’s largest integrated media group completed its digital‑transformation programme.
This marked a significant shift in how the company produces content, distributes news and engages with audiences.
The transition, which began in 2024, has reshaped the company’s operations and strengthened its competitiveness in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
In an interview, Fojo Media Institute project manager, Ms Sofie Gullberg, said they were in the country to establish courses supporting journalism education at three institutions: Great Zimbabwe University, NUST and Harare Polytechnic.
“We are also doing courses in investigative journalism and climate change for female students. So it is also great to be here today to visit media houses and help promote the bridge between the newsroom and the classroom,” she said.
She added that the courses will be implemented with various institutions starting next year, following meetings with representatives from universities in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia for regional exchanges.
A central part of Zimpapers’ digital‑transition project included the refurbishment of Herald House, which saw the establishment of an integrated newsroom and the upgrade of Zimpapers Television Network studios at a cost of more than US$500 000.
The modernisation drive has streamlined the firm’s core news‑production systems. Automated workflows and digital‑editing tools have reduced production cycles, allowing for faster turnaround of breaking stories and multimedia content.
Zimpapers is also leveraging user‑behaviour data to personalise content, enhance user experience and support new digital revenue streams. Beyond traditional print income, the group is now earning from subscriptions, online advertising and sponsored content.
