Staff Reporter
The Russian Federation has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Zimbabwe’s media sector as part of the broader bilateral relations between the two nations.
A delegation from Russian news agency, Ruptly, met with Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, in Harare yesterday, discussing on potential partnerships and content exchange.
In an interview with the media, Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, emphasised that the discussions were centred on broadening Ruptly’s presence in Zimbabwe and facilitating media collaboration between State and private media houses from both countries.
“There is no current penetration of Ruptly in Zimbabwe, but this exploratory visit will change that. As a Ministry, we fully support this initiative. We want our media, both private and state, to establish alliances and partnerships globally, especially with nations that share similar ideological perspectives.
“Zimbabwe already has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Russian government, which includes provisions for media cooperation. This visit is part of the actualisation of that MoU. Ruptly will also engage with Zimbabwe’s private media, ensuring that the Zimbabwean story is told internationally through a friendly voice, while Zimbabwe provides a similar platform for Russian narratives,” said Mangwana.
Ruptly Chief Executive Officer, Anna Semidotskaya, emphasised the long-standing friendship between Zimbabwe and Russia, highlighting the importance of media partnerships in strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties.
“Russia and Zimbabwe have enjoyed a close friendship for many years. As Ruptly, part of the Russia Today (RT) family, our mission is to support and elevate these high-level relations in a rapidly evolving media landscape,” she said.
She noted that the meeting with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and local media stakeholders had been fruitful, setting the stage for joint media projects and content-sharing initiatives.
“There are many inspiring human stories in Zimbabwe that resonate deeply with Russian audiences. We will continue to distribute Zimbabwean content in Russia and work closely with local media on joint projects and events,” said Semidotskaya.
The collaboration between Zimbabwe and Ruptly aligns with the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement strategy, which seeks to promote Brand Zimbabwe on international platforms.
By partnering with global media players, Zimbabwe aims to amplify its voice, attract foreign interest, and enhance its image on the international stage.
This media partnership marks a significant step in diversifying Zimbabwe’s global media networks, ensuring mutual representation and strengthened bilateral cooperation between Harare and Moscow.
