Digitalisation, economic crisis and hyperinflation have hit the media industry in Zimbabwe hard. While the regulatory framework for media freedom has improved, journalists struggle for survival.
In the latest years, the airwaves have opened up with around 20 recently licensed community and campus radio stations, a new Freedom of Information Act has replaced the previously draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and there has been a decline in arrests and attacks on journalists.
“We are slowly moving in the right direction. However, the media industry is being affected by the economic crisis. Our journalists are getting poorer by the day”, says Golden Maunganidze, Director at Great Zimbabwe University Campus Radio, Chairperson at the media organisation MISA and a journalism lecturer.
Media houses are closing down, others are laying off staff. The salaries are low, equipment is missing and power cuts make it hard to get things done. On top of that, many journalists are poorly paid freelancers.
“The situation risks comprising the media. Journalists are saying that we can’t eat ethics and professionalism. We also continue to lose some of the best and most experienced reporters as they look for better opportunities elsewhere”, says Golden Maunganidze.
The Great Zimbabwe University, as well as other journalism schools, tries to adapt to the situation.
“We are at a turning point where we are shifting from traditional print media to online news. We are preparing students to be allround, to be able to do print, online, radio and TV. There is also a need to focus on new technology, how you can create revenue and be sustainable by running your platform with the little resources you have.”
In 2023, Fojo Media Institute initiated a partnership with three journalism schools in intending to make education more practical and to make journalism schools centers for trainings for mid-career journalists.
“The interventions from Fojo Media Institute is a pointer to what should be done to solve the challenges we are facing. First. the introduction of online platforms for students will go a long way in preparing them for work life. Secondly, the training on investigative journalism, fact-checking, data and environmental journalism is more relevant than ever before as we are lacking experienced journalists who are equipped to do in-depth and specialised reporting.”
