Harare, (New Ziana) – The landscape of independent journalism in Zimbabwe has entered a transformative phase with the establishment of the Zimbabwe Independent Journalism Fund (ZIJF), a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the challenges of sustainability that have long plagued the country’s media sector.
Formally launched on 22 March 2025, the Fund is a response to the growing need for long-term, locally driven support for digital-first independent news outlets.
In a statement, the organization’s Secretary and Coordinator, Divine Dube said the initiative was born out of a collaboration between nearly 10 pioneering independent news organizations, ranging from investigative powerhouses to local outlets.
“ZIJF is a direct response to the operational strain these outlets have faced for years. Journalists and media outlets in Zimbabwe have often worked under the weight of volatile conditions, relying on short-term grants that has led to burnout, inconsistent reporting, and, in some cases, the closure of vital media initiatives. ”
For many, the dream of building a sustainable, independent media organization has been hampered by the lack of long-term financial and institutional support,” said Dube.
He said the Zimbabwe Independent Journalism Fund aims to shift this narrative by offering a permanent, collaborative platform for independent media to flourish.
“What sets ZIJF apart from previous funding models is its commitment to long-term sustainability. Unlike temporary consortia or donor-funded projects that dissipate once the funding runs out, ZIJF is designed to be an enduring, newsroom-led solution, built for the future by those who know the media landscape best: the journalists themselves,” he said.
The Fund pools philanthropic resources into a coordinated mechanism focused on providing flexible operational support, innovation funding, and tailored capacity-building for credible, independent journalism.
ZIJF’s core objective is to create a system that supports the financial viability and independence of Zimbabwe’s media through sustainable revenue generation, audience engagement, and continuous digital transformation in newsrooms.
The Consortium Council is chaired by Tawanda Majoni, a veteran journalist, director of the Information for Development Trust, and editor of NewsHub.
Serving as Secretary and Coordinator is Divine Dube, a dynamic journalism innovator, director of the Zimbabwe Centre for Media and Information Literacy, and executive editor of The Citizen Bulletin.
The role of Treasurer is filled by Golden Maunganidze, a leading journalism academic and director of TellZim.
New Ziana
