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Herald Correspondent
Journalists from the country’s largest integrated media house, Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited (Zimpapers), maintained their dominance at the National Journalism and Media Awards (Njama) with 18 reporters scooping awards from 29 categories.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, who was the guest of honour, urged journalists to focus on national development.
Speaking at Njama 2023-2024, held in Harare on Thursday night, Minister Muswere said it was important for journalists to focus on national development. “It is also very important for members of the Fourth Estate to report about the evils in the society,” Minister Muswere said.
“It is also very important for members of the Fourth Estate not to scandalise your country.
“It is very important for us to work together to seek information to verify facts before publication.
“The use of new technology, the use of algorithms and homegrown algorithms and artificial intelligence, information science, has to be supported through journalism.”
This year the Njama were held under the theme: “Empowering marginalised voices: Navigating gender dynamics and harnessing AI driven journalism”.
Njama is an annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists in partnership with sponsors.
The primary aim of the awards is to ensure journalistic and ethical conduct within the industry and to honour excellence in practice.
In a speech read on his behalf by his secretary-general Mr Perfect Hlongwane, ZUJ president Mr George Maponga said it was important that journalists actively work towards creating an inclusive environment for all individuals to express themselves and address the underlying gender dynamics that perpetuate marginalisation.
“It is crucial to challenge societal norms, stereotypes and biases that limit the opportunities for women and other marginalised groups,” he said.
“By promoting gender equality and diversity, we can create an environment where everyone’s voice is valued and respected.
“We can create safe working media spaces for young girls and women, both off and online, both as practitioners and as sources of news.
“Marginalised voices often face numerous challenges and their experiences are often overshadowed, and their perspectives are rarely given the platform they accept.
“It is our responsibility as the media to change this narrative.”
Mr Maponga said empowering marginalised voices meant providing them with the tools, resources and opportunities to share their stories without fear of judgment or exclusion.
“And in this digital age, where technology plays a significant role, the media must also explore AI-driven journalism,” he said.
“Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise the way we collect data, package and consume news and information.
“In actual fact, this is not only a figment, but we are experiencing and living through that revolution.
“By using natural language, processing and machine learning, artificial intelligence can help identify and elevate diverse voices that have traditionally been underrepresented.
“It can help break down the barriers that prevent marginalised individuals from being heard.”
Herald Correspondent Ivan Zhakata scooped the Local Tourism Journalist of the Year Award while Morris Mkwate and Robert Mukondiwa of ZTN won the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Journalist of the Year Award with Tendai Chara of Sunday Mail the runner up in the same category.
Mukondiwa was also runner up in the News Journalist of the Year Award category.
Wilson Kakurira of ZTN won the Climate Change Journalist of the Year Award while Nqobile Tshili of Chronicle won the Environment Journalist of the Year Award.
Tshili was also a runner up in the Renewable Energy Journalist of the Year Award.
Peter Tanyanyiwa of Zimpapers Digital and Tendai Gukutikwa of Manica Post were runners up in The Yasser Arafat Journalist of the Year Award and the Early Childhood Development Journalist of the Year Award.
Tawanda Musarurwa of Sunday Mail scooped the Data Journalist of the Year Award and was runner up for the Financial Journalist of the Year Award.
Chronicle’s Mkululi Ncube was the Gender and Social Inclusion Journalist of the Year while Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu from the same publication was runner in the Community Engagement and Rural Development Journalist of the Year and Gender-Based Violence Journalist of the Year Awards.
Muchaneta Chimuka of Kwayedza was runner up in the Municipal and Service Delivery Journalist of the Year Award while Gibson Mhaka of Chronicle was runner up in the Anti-Corruption Journalist of the Year Award.
The Agriculture Journalist of the Year Award was scooped by Raymond Jaravaza of Chronicle while Sukhulekelani Moyo also from Chronicle was runner up for the Business Journalist of the Year Award.
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