The
United
Nations
(UN)
has
called
on
Zimbabwe
to
bolster
its
media
capacity
as
a
strategic
driver
for
national
development,
industrialisation
and
the
achievement
of
the
2030
Agenda
for
Sustainable
Development,
urging
greater
collaboration,
professionalism
and
empowerment
of
journalists
to
foster
inclusive
progress.
Speaking
at
the
third
Zimbabwe
International
Trade
Fair
(ZITF)
Media
Indaba
in
Bulawayo
on
Thursday,
UN
Resident
and
Humanitarian
Coordinator,
Edward
Kallon,
stressed
that
media
development
is
not
just
about
freedom
of
expression
but
about
equipping
the
media
to
be
a
powerful
engine
of
nation-building.
“The
United
Nations
System
in
Zimbabwe
actively
supports
a
robust
media
landscape
that
ensures
accurate,
timely,
and
objective
reporting
on
development,
recovery
and
humanitarian
issues,”
said
Kallon.
“Media
freedom
in
Zimbabwe
has
allowed
for
new
communication
methods,
broadening
individuals’
participation,
identity
and
belonging
in
society.”
Under
the
discussion,
“The
Role
of
the
UN
in
Fostering
Media
Development
in
Zimbabwe,”
Kallon
highlighted
the
strategic
importance
of
the
media
in
promoting
democracy,
human
rights,
and
economic
transformation,
asserting
that
the
sector’s
transformation
must
be
intentional,
well-resourced
and
people-centered.
He
noted
that
Zimbabweans
today
enjoy
access
to
diverse
information
platforms,
from
print
and
broadcast
to
community
radios
and
digital
spaces,
which,
when
used
responsibly,
can
catalyse
positive
change.
“As
UN,
we
understand
and
appreciate
that
each
medium
carries
a
message,
targets
specific
audiences,
and
influences
change,
attitudes,
perceptions,
and
decision-making,
shaping
behaviors
accordingly,”
said
Kallon.
The
UN’s
approach
to
supporting
Zimbabwe’s
national
development
priorities
and
the
17
Sustainable
Development
Goals
(SDGs)
involves
direct
collaboration
with
media
stakeholders.
Kallon
also
commended
the
Ministry
of
Information
and
its
Permanent
Secretary,
Nick
Mangwana,
for
the
“excellent
collaboration”
with
the
UN
in
advancing
these
efforts.
“The
UN
supports
media
building
to
help
the
country
achieve
SDGs
by
strengthening
the
media’s
ability
to
report
on
and
promote
these
goals,”
he
said.
“This
includes
providing
training,
resources,
and
recognition
for
journalists,
particularly
those
working
on
gender
equality
and
maternal
health.”
Kallon
also
outlined
key
interventions
by
the
UN
to
enhance
media
effectiveness
in
Zimbabwe
noting
that
under
legislative
support,
the
UN,
through
entities
such
as
UNESCO,
has
backed
legislative
reforms
including
the
enactment
of
the
Freedom
of
Information
Act,
the
Broadcasting
Services
Act,
and
the
Data
Privacy
Act.
“These
laws
improve
the
space
for
media
freedom
and
public
discourse,”
he
said.
Secondly,
on
capacity
building
and
exposure,
Kallon
said
in
partnership
with
the
Ministry
of
Information,
the
UN
hosts
annual
development
reporting
seminars
and
offers
journalists
exposure
to
UN-supported
projects.
Thirdly,
on
training
and
resources,
Kallon
said
journalists
must
receive
support
in
the
form
of
training,
equipment,
and
awards
for
excellence
in
reporting
on
key
issues
such
as
climate
action
and
gender-based
violence.
Under
digital
empowerment,
as
a
fourth
factor,
the
UN
resident
coordinator
said
recognising
the
shift
towards
digital
journalism,
the
UN
encourages
young
reporters
to
leverage
online
platforms
to
drive
inclusive
storytelling
and
address
gender
disparities.
Fifth,
on
consultation
and
advocacy,
Kallon
said
the
UN
facilitates
national
and
local
consultations
that
engage
the
media
in
shaping
and
implementing
development
strategies,
particularly
around
the
SDGs.
Six,
under
a
focus
on
key
SDGs,
the
UN
resident
coordinator
said
special
attention
is
given
to
SDG
16
(Peace,
Justice
and
Strong
Institutions)
and
SDG
17
(Partnerships
for
the
Goals),
highlighting
the
media’s
critical
watchdog
role
in
holding
authorities
accountable.
According
to
Kallon,
an
empowered
and
professional
media
sector
is
essential
to
combating
misinformation,
building
public
trust,
and
enabling
citizens
to
make
informed
decisions
that
shape
the
country’s
trajectory.
“Media
and
journalists
have
been
crucial
in
sharing
facts
and
dispelling
myths
about
natural
disasters
and
disease
outbreaks,”
he
said.
“Accurate
and
timely
reporting
proved
vital
in
combating
the
pandemic
and
the
infodemic.”
On
climate
change,
Kallon
warned
against
growing
disinformation
and
urged
the
media
to
take
up
its
role
in
climate
advocacy,
noting
that
the
UN
continues
to
provide
climate
adaptation
resources
for
journalists.
Kallon
noted
that
strengthening
the
media
is
not
just
a
matter
of
policy,
it
is
a
moral
and
strategic
imperative.
“Media
should
amplify
the
voices
of
society’s
vulnerable,
including
children,
those
with
disabilities,
women
and
marginalised
groups,”
he
said.
“Their
stories
can
influence
behavior
changes
and
mobilise
support
for
action.”
The
UN
resident
coordinator
concluded
with
a
call
for
responsible
journalism
and
ethical
standards.
“To
fulfill
the
media’s
role,
professionalism
and
objectivity
are
crucial.
Media
bias
and
sensationalism
hinder
contributions
to
national
development.
Media
freedom
must
coincide
with
responsibility,”
Kallon
advised.
As
Zimbabwe
works
toward
becoming
an
upper
middle-income
country
by
2030,
Kallon
reaffirmed
the
UN’s
commitment
to
supporting
the
country’s
vision,
through
a
strong,
empowered
and
inclusive
media.
“I
reiterate
that
the
UN
values
its
partnership
with
the
media
in
advancing
the
2030
Agenda
for
Sustainable
Development
and
supporting
Zimbabwe’s
government
and
people
to
realise
these
goals
and
their
aspirations
for
a
strong
resilient
and
upper
middle
income
society
by
2030,”
he
said.
