by Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwean media should tell the true Zimbabwean story while reporting so that the country can achieve its set developmental goals.
This was said by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa at the Media Training workshop on the Transitional Stabilization Programme (TSP) successes and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) reporting in Gweru yesterday.
“We are obliged as Government working with the media to ensure that the nation moves in unison as one entity, such that at the end of the day everyone plays their role in ensuring that this national goal is realised. That national responsibility or rather obligation to ensure that there is a shared national vision for the common good of everyone lies squarely on the shoulders of those that are gathered here.
“Government is the main source of the information of where the nation is going meanwhile the Media with your communication capacity and capabilities, you have the platforms and skills to inform and galvanize the nation to that end,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister further said she wished that a time will come when there will be no reference to public or private press, but a Zimbabwean press which tows the national flag in pursuit of the country’s common goals.
“This calls for close collaboration between Government and the media as well as unity of purpose in the media industry in pursuit of the national interest. It is my wish that sooner rather later, there shall come a day when there is no reference to public or private press, but there is Zimbabwean press which tows the national flag in pursuit of our common goals,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa urged the media personnel to unpack the NDS 1 into palatable pieces that could be understood by all and sundry including the youths, the aged and the rural community.
She further said the NDS 1 is all about lifting up people’s lives and urged the media to shun the use of complex terms while reporting about NDS 1 so that the people could fully comprehend it.
The Minister said the TSP which is the predecessor of the NDS 1 achieved most of its set objectives; however, she bemoaned the disjuncture between those achievements and what the media is delivering to the nation.
She said the country was moving in the right direction under President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership, which the media needed to highlight.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the journalists should have a deep understanding of the NDS 1, so that they can have the best strategies and knowledge to inform the nation and the international clients and stakeholders on the viability of the strategy.
The workshop was attended by editors, senior media practitioners from across the media fraternity and some Government officials.
