Online Reporter
Harmony Agere
Zimpapers is establishing digital platforms that serve the public as part of a bold transformation redefining how news is produced, consumed, and monetised in Zimbabwe, the organisation’s Editorial Executive, Mr Elias Mambo has said.
Addressing delegates at the NetOne Online Media Strategy Building Breakfast Session this morning, Mr Mambo said the media house, founded in 1890, has undergone a historic shift from being a print-centric institution for over a century to becoming a digital-centric organisation in the past two years.
“We are creating a digital space that is open to the public,” he said, noting that this transformation has been driven by changes in audience behaviour and the speed at which news now breaks.
To support this shift, Zimpapers has introduced new roles, replacing traditional print-focused roles with digital-centric positions to promote content production for online platforms.
He said the results are already visible, with Zimpapers having a digital footprint of 11 million people across its platforms.
Mr Mambo urged young people and content creators to think beyond traditional funding models and not rely solely on digital revenues.
He said Zimpapers is thinking outside the box and diversifying its income streams.
In addition to digital advertising, the Group has invested in property, courier services, a tertiary institution and other ventures to build a sustainable ecosystem supporting journalism.
