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Jonathan Marerwa
Herald Correspondent
THE role played by China in transforming the technological media landscape through digitalisation anchored on migration from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in line with the International Telecommunications Union has been important for Zimbabwe.
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Omphile Marupi told the 6th Forum on China-Africa Media Co-operation and China Africa Think Tank High Level Dialogue in Beijing yesterday that the Government anticipated completion of the transition with assistance from the country’s all-weather friend, China.
Linked to modernisation was the production and acquisition of good quality content that projects the correct narrative of developments within the country.
Dr Marupi said the Zimbabwean story could only be told fully by Zimbabweans, so the Government continued to capacitate the national public broadcaster and independent content producers for material that reflected the aspirations of citizens.
African countries recognised that digital development played an important role in advancing modernisation.
Despite illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West and it’s allies, Zimbabwe continued to attain milestones on the digital front with support from countries such as China.
Installations of broadcast transmitters in marginalised parts of the country had allowed the Government, working with Chinese companies, to enhance access to information thereby fulfilling the Government mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
So the government had licensed and operationalised 14 language-based community radio stations and 10 campus radio stations in line with the country’s Heritage Based Education 5.0 that promotes practical learning in the media.
He said Zimbabwe was ready to adopt China’s approach to digital economic growth which is characterised by priority on infrastructure, continuous innovative applications and technology driven development which offers valuable insights into enhancing digital transformation.
Online Reporter