Government of Zimbabwe has committed to fostering a broadcasting sector that embraces digital transformation, with a focus on inclusive, adaptive, and collaborative regulation.
Speaking as the guest of honor during the Broadcast Evolution Zimbabwe Conference hosted by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda has expressed government’s commitment to an approach that is firmly anchored on the Zimbabwe Media Policy and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“We gather to reflect on the future of broadcasting at a time of rapid and profound transformation never experienced before.Let me commend BAZ for organising this timely gathering under the theme “Regulating the Digital Frontier:Online Broadcasting, Ethics, and Co-Regulatory Models” which captures the very essence of the very pressing policy conversations of our time.
“We are living in a disruptive environment, the once clear boundaries between broadcasting, television and digital media are dissolving, what we knew as radio and television now exist within a vast converged media environment that encompases online streaming,social media broadcasting, podcasts, digital newsrooms and Artificial Intelligence generated content.
“We recognize that online broadcasting is not just a technological shift but a structural transformation of the media ecosystem.Our response must therefore be adaptive rather than restrictive, collaborative rather than purely prescriptive and forward looking rather than reactive,”he said
He further stressed the need for Zimbabwe to navigate the evolving digital frontier wisely.
“Zimbabwe like other nations must navigate this evolving digital frontier with wisdom and a spirit of inclusivity.Our government’s approach is firmly anchored on our national policy frameworks particularly the Zimbabwe Media Policy and the NDS2.
“The NDS2 identifies the digital economy as a key driver of transformation calling for a modern competitive and technologically enabled information and communication ecosystem, ” he added
Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer Engineer M. Chakanyuka expressed their authority’s commitment to fair regulation of the media in Zimbabwe to ensure safety for the consumers of the content.
“As BAZ we remain committed to monitoring compliance of the media to our local broadcasting policies.This is done to ensure that we safeguard our values as Zimbabwe, we promote our languages and cultural heritage, we promote national security and above all we eliminate misinformation and disinformation of the public.
“We remain committed to fair regulation of the media inorder to uphold the freedom of expression.We continue to urge all content creators and broadcasters to uphold ethics of accuracy and ubuntu,”said Chakanyuka
Meanwhile BAZ compliance content officer Forget Tsododo challenged content creators to use social media rexponsibly while stressing the need for regulation of the digital landscape as a way of avoiding the breach of ethics and local media policies.
“I just want to urge all content creators to use the digital space responsibly.Regulation is critical to minimize harm to the public.
“We are working on a framework that will ensure that online content creators register with BAZ inorder to ensure compliance and easy monitoring and evaluation of the content for the safety of the public.
“I am sure that by the time we reach the conclusion of these engagements,the licensing fees will not be heavy.As of now you must know that broadcasting without a license an offense,”said Tsododo
The conference was also attended by several stakeholders including Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Media Alliance, Great Zimbabwe University, National University of Science and Technology and Content Creators Association of Zimbabwe among others.
