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Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
JOURNALISTS from the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group, the country’s largest integrated media house, dominated the 2024 National Aids Council awards presented at a ceremony in Harare yesterday.
Three reporters from the stable scooped awards, while eight others received certificates for consistent reporting on HIV and AIDS issues in several categories.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, officiated at the awards ceremony, which was attended by various stakeholders, including senior Government officials.
Mirirai Nsingo from Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) Prime won the first award, followed closely by Gwen Mugauri from Zimpapers radio station Star FM, who received the second award under the electronic media category.
Gibson Mhaka, another Zimpapers reporter from B-Metro in Bulawayo, scooped the third award in the print category. Moses Mugugunyeki from Alpha Media Holdings won the first prize, followed by Hazel Marimbiza from Daily News.
Reporters from The Herald, Zimpapers’ flagship daily newspaper, Rumbidzai Zinyuke and Tendai Rupapa, received certificates for consistent reporting on HIV and AIDS issues.
Other certificate recipients from the Zimpapers group included Muchaneta Chimuka from Kwayedza, Thandeka Ndhlovu and Sokulwenkosi Matutu from the Chronicle, Addmore Mbonda from Platinum FM and Nobuhle Mgwaqo from uMthunywa. Presidential Photographer John Manzongo was also presented with a certificate.
In his keynote address, Dr Mombeshora said the media had a critical role to play in highlighting HIV/Aids issues including shortcomings in Government’s response to the pandemic.
He said there were areas in their response in which such vibrant engagement is required to address attendant gaps.
“While our 95-95-95 coverage is commendable among adults, we are still lagging behind among children,” Dr Mombeshora said.
“We are also witnessing more cases of HIV among adolescent girls and young women and key populations. We therefore need multi-stakeholder engagement to identify and address challenges that cause bottle necks in these areas.
“We are counting on the media to report such gaps and amplify voices of those affected so that together we can find lasting solutions to the challenges. While there are thousands of reporters doing the same work, there are some among them who are going an extra mile.”
Dr Mombeshora said the media is critical in the fight against HIV because it is driven by a passion for quality and social change towards a better society.
“Today is about celebrating those who go an extra mile — who do not wait for news but seek news and creatively report it to create social change.”
Online Reporter