Harare, Zimbabwe, (New Ziana) – Community media in Zimbabwe must adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to survive, according to Professor Ruby Magosvongwe, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC).

Speaking at the belated 2025 World Press Freedom Day commemorations in Harare, she. highlighted the pressing challenges facing local media, including inadequate infrastructure, limited data access, and poor internet connectivity.

Magosvongwe addressed media stakeholders at the event, which was themed “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”

The gathering included senior journalists, content creators, government officials, and representatives from non-governmental organisations focused on media and communications.

“AI is reshaping how news is gathered and consumed, but it also creates significant challenges,” Magosvongwe said.

She said that AI-generated content could reduce demand for traditional radio programming, threatening local voices and cultural relevance. Smaller community stations might struggle to afford AI tools, widening the gap between well-funded and under-resourced outlets.

While AI can analyse listener preferences, it may not effectively capture the community engagement that local radio relies on. “The rise of AI-generated misinformation can undermine trust in community radio as a reliable news source,” Magosvongwe added.

The absence of clear regulations on AI in media further complicates operations for community radio stations.

Sandra Mazunga, National Coordinator of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radios, emphasised the skills gap among staff in utilising AI tools. “A lack of technical expertise limits the potential benefits of AI,” she said.

Since 2021, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has licensed 14 community radio stations, with plans to expand this number as part of the government’s Vision 2030 initiative to enhance information access.

However, participants noted that AI poses challenges for community newspapers as well, including reduced demand for traditional journalism, which could impact their revenue streams.

“AI’s reliance for content creation raises concerns about accuracy and quality, essential for maintaining trust and credibility,” Magosvongwe stated.

The automation of tasks traditionally performed by journalists could lead to job losses, threatening livelihoods in community journalism.

Moreover, limited access to technology and the internet remains a barrier for many community newspapers in effectively utilising AI.

Participants discussed how AI-driven platforms could create and distribute news faster, making it difficult for smaller publications to compete for audience attention.

“The ethical implications of AI in journalism, including bias and misinformation, are significant,” Magosvongwe warned.

“Community media must embrace AI to avoid sustainability challenges in an evolving media landscape.”

New Ziana