Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s media landscape is dominated by state-controlled media and several draconian laws have a chilling effect on independent journalists. Despite that, there is an increasing media diversity. Several community, campus and commercial radio stations have recently been licensed and there is a creative online space with several start-ups and by now established digital platforms. While radio remains the main source of information, especially in the rural areas, the young urban generation turns to social media and the internet to assess information.

What we do

Our work in Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen the media’s role in advancing access to reliable information, civic participation and democracy. The objective of our current programme is to allow citizens and particularly marginalised communities, to be informed and empowered with relevant, reliable, inclusive information and media content.

Our partner Magamba Network uses arts, digital media, and activism to inspire young people to express themselves and participate in democratic processes. One of their platforms is the Open Parly which started by live streaming from the parliament and now covers parliament sittings, press conferences, political rallies, et cetera, as well as facilitating dialogue and debate between politicians and citizens. Magamba Network also runs several other digital platforms, Moto Republik, a creative hub in Harare, and Studio Moto which houses Magamba’s productions and supports independent content producers.

The Media Innovation Programme (MIP) is a capacity-building initiative to strengthen independent media to thrive both editorially and financially. Through the programme, media houses receive trainings and get support to conduct audience research, make innovations in content and formats, and develop realistic business plans. The programme includes investigative news outlets, community and campus radio stations, print and digital newspapers and fact-checking groups.

Fojo also supports journalism training institutions to have trainings and mentorship programmes for mid-career journalists and to make undergraduate journalism education more practical and up-to-date in a changing media landscape, through closer cooperation with the media industry.