Zim commends China for modernising media
ASSISTANCE from China has helped Zimbabwe transform and modernise the country’s media sector, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Dr Omphile Marupi, has said.
Addressing the 6th Forum on China-Africa Media Co-operation and the China-Africa Think Tank high level dialogue in Beijing yesterday, Dr Marupi said China was working hard to transform the technological media landscape in Zimbabwe through digitisation anchored on migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in line with the International Telecommunication Union.
“We anticipate to fully complete the project with assistance from our all-weather friend, China,” said Dr Marupi.
“I am proud to say that our studios at the national broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, are being modernised in line with inclusive growth and development.”
Modernisation of media is being done at the same time with production and acquisition of good quality content that projected the correct narrative of developments in Zimbabwe.
“The Zimbabwean story can fully be told by Zimbabweans and this is why we continue to capacitate the national broadcaster and independent content producers for content that reflects the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe,” Dr Marupi said.
He said Government was making strides towards developing a vibrant digital economy aimed at empowering citizens with digital literacy and creating a robust infrastructure that could support the demands of the digital landscape.
Experts and professionals discussed issues regarding the modernisation agenda, with many drawing inspiration from the Chinese path, but emphasising that African countries could pursue models that are best suited to them and their local conditions.
Participants also explored different models of cooperation and building synergies and collaborations that would ensure attainment of mutual benefit and win-win scenarios.
The event drew China-Africa experts, top media professionals and government officials from 45 African countries, with two Zimbabwean think-tanks, the Southern Africa Research and Documentation Centre (Sardc) and Ruzivo Media and Resource Centre taking part.
A Zimbabwean expert, Professor Jairos Kangira, also participated in the event, which is running under the theme: “Joining hands to advance modernisation.”
Media cooperation is considered a key cog in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s idea of a community with a shared future for mankind.
In a fortnight, African leaders will descend on Beijing for the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Co-operation and strategies on media cooperation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are among key topics.