Zimbabwe Media Nexus Programme 2022-2025

Free, professional and independent media is key in strengthening democracy and the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights. At a time when media worldwide are struggling to monetize the journalistic product, and revenue generation methods are becoming more complex, media in emerging democracies are particularly exposed and vulnerable.

Zimbabwe’s democratic transition faces many contradictions and hurdles. Positive developments such as the licensing of new television and community radio stations and the passage of the freedom of information law have been recorded the last years, at the same time as there is continued harassment of journalists, media capture by government cronies, and crackdowns on free speech and the freedom of assembly.

Fojo has been supporting the media in Zimbabwe since 2007. Among Fojo’s partners are content producers, training institutions and media civil society organizations who all aim to contribute to positive change in society.

What we do

The IMS and Fojo Media Institute’s Media Nexus Programme 2022-2025 seeks to strengthen media’s role in advancing democracy and development. The objective is to allow Zimbabwean citizens (particularly marginalised communities) to be informed and empowered with relevant, reliable, inclusive information and media content, enabling meaningful participation in governance and development issues.

The project commenced in 2022 and will continue until July 2025 and is implemented with support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

1) Media Innovation Programme (MIP)

The Media Innovation Programme (MIP) is a capacity building initiative that takes a hands-on approach in strengthening independent media to thrive both editorially and financially. The focus on financial sustainability is rooted in the conviction that truly efficient media development support needs to focus on media business just as much as the editorial content.

The needs and ideas of participating media houses are the starting point. Through a combination of coaching and targeted trainings, Fojo helps the media houses to realize their project.

2) Strengthening Media Through Journalism Education and Training

Fojo is a part of the Linnaeus University which give a good ground for a long-term cooperation with universities and journalism schools. The objective of this programme is to support journalism schools to be more practical and up to date with a changing media landscape, to encourage cooperation between journalism schools and the media industry, and to capacitate working journalists through trainings.

3) Magamba Network

Magamba Network utilizes arts, digital media, and activism to inspire young people to participate in development processes. Magamba runs Moto Republik, a creative hub in Harare, and Studio Moto which houses Magamba’s productions as well as supporting independent content producers.

Magamba Network is a strategic partner to Fojo and is supported to implement several activities, including Open Parly/Open Council and Youth-Led Productions, as well as to incubate rural projects such as Macheke Innovation Hub.