Harare, (New Ziana) – The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has launched the inaugural CCZ Media Awards, a new initiative aimed at recognising journalists and media houses that produce outstanding reporting on consumer rights, consumer protection and ethical business practices.
Speaking at the launch in Harare on Thursday, CCZ Chief Executive Officer, Rosemary Mpofu said the awards would strengthen collaboration between the consumer watchdog and the media while raising public awareness on consumer rights and responsibilities.
“The media is our mouthpiece,” said Mpofu. “We really want to partner with you so that you can create the much-needed visibility. People need the voice of the consumer, and they need a consumer representative voice in the form of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.”
She said the awards come at a time when the 71-year-old organisation is seeking to increase its visibility despite handling consumer complaints and resolving disputes daily through its consumer protection officers.
“For 71 years, we’ve been working for consumers, but consumers do not seem to know that we are there. They don’t know where to find us, yet every day we are resolving consumer complaints,” she said.
Mpofu said the awards would encourage quality journalism that highlights consumer issues, promotes accountability among businesses and service providers, and advances consumer education across the country.
She stressed that the media remains a critical partner in empowering citizens, noting that consumers who understand their rights are less vulnerable to exploitation.
“An informed consumer is an empowered consumer. If a consumer is not informed, they do not know their rights and can easily be abused in the marketplace,” she said. “An informed society depends on a responsible and vibrant media.”
The CCZ Media Awards will also spotlight the impact of the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 while recognising journalists whose work contributes to greater consumer awareness and protection.
Mpofu said the competition would help advance the visibility of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and encourage wider public understanding of consumer issues.
“It will advance consumer awareness and consumer education. There is so much needed consumer education that people are lacking in our country,” she said.
She also acknowledged the media’s long-standing contribution in exposing unfair business practices, reporting on unsafe products, misleading advertising, digital scams, poor service delivery and the rising cost of living.
Mpofu revealed that the Consumer Council is reviewing its widely referenced family basket, which has been in use since the early 1990s, to ensure it reflects current consumer realities.
The first CCZ Media Awards ceremony is scheduled for early 2027 and will assess entries published or broadcast between January and December 2026.
Mpofu challenged journalists to continue reporting accurately, ethically and responsibly.
“To every media practitioner here present, I urge you to continue reporting with integrity and continue reporting accurately. Please do not misquote us,” she said.
The awards are expected to foster stronger partnerships between CCZ, the media and other stakeholders in promoting consumer rights, ethical business conduct and an informed marketplace in Zimbabwe.
New Ziana
