Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has implored the nation to leverage on available communication platforms to promote peace, love, and unity by producing and disseminating content that reflects the hopes and aspirations of local communities.
He said this in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere during the commissioning of the modernised Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation(ZBC) Montrose Studios.
The commissioned station comprises two new state-of-the-art television studios, eight modern radio studios, fully integrated Play-Out Centre and a Media Asset Management System that brings ZBC into the digital broadcasting era and Data Centre. The modernised Montrose is the first television station to broadcast from outside Harare.
“As we journey towards Vision 2030, I urge the nation to use the available communication platforms to promote peace, love, unity and live in harmony. Let us produce and disseminate content that reflects the hopes and aspirations of our people
“On their part, stakeholders in the media fraternity, including our journalists and analysts must continue to uphold the highest levels of creativity, professionalism and ethical conduct,” said President Mnangagwa.
He commended the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services for the role it continues to play for the recapitalisation of ZBC, saying it is the responsibility of the national broadcaster to stand as a barricade against misinformation, disinformation and external narratives that do not reflect the true Zimbabwean story.
He highlighted that the Montrose project is a testament of the government`s commitment to leverage on technology innovation to propel growth and higher impact on all sectors of the economy.
“In this respect, the role of Media, Information and Broadcasting remains central to Zimbabwe’s development journey. To date, I am pleased that ZBC continues to serve as the voice of our nation, highlighting our vision for the future, celebrating our triumphs and providing a platform for national dialogue.”
The President said, citizens should continue to tell their own stories from their own perspectives, insights and experiences adding that the on-going modernisation of the public broadcaster was occurring as the nation was rolling out the National Development Strategy2. (NDS2).
“These facilities will go a long way towards enhancing production quality, improve efficiency, and allow ZBC to compete on a global scale,” said President Mnangagwa.
He also spoke about development of the Zim digital Phase 2 programme, which saw the commissioning of Luzibo Radio which is a new channel being operated in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
“In addition to these investments, I am enthused to announce historic milestones on Zim-digital Phase 2. The commissioning of Luzibo Radio which is a new education channel being operated in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
“This channel will bring educational content directly to learners across the country, supporting our objectives in the sector,” he said.
“It is a reflection of my administration’s commitment to Devolution and Decentralisation; empowerment and equitable inclusive development, that leaves no one and no place behind. This is ensuring that every corner of Zimbabwe is represented in our irreversible national development trajectory.
“It is further pleasing that the public broadcaster, ZBC, has also upgraded its Digital Satellite News Gathering Van, which will greatly enhance our nation’s ability to provide real-time live coverage of national events, sports, and breaking news across all provinces. This is a significant step in ensuring that Zimbabweans everywhere are informed promptly and accurately,” he said.
President Mnangagwa challenged the Ministry to modernise Pockets Hill and Central FM to ensure all the country`s studios are transformed from analogue to digital.
“Modernised and fully equipped studios are a strategic imperative in promoting good governance and accountability as well as showcasing Zimbabwe’s rich cultural diversity, ” he said.
