The Sunday Mail
Bulawayo Bureau
The media has a crucial role to play in turning around the fortunes of Zimbabwe’s economy, Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushowe has said. The Minister said through its reportage, the press had the power to build confidence in potential investors as well as bring to light the country’s vast untapped potential. He said continued negative coverage of Zimbabwe was self-defeating as it had the impact of “breaking the nation”.
Minister Mushowe made the remarks last week while addressing journalists at a cocktail organised by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Ministry on the side-lines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fai in Bulawayo.
Over the years, Zimbabwe has been a victim of negative media coverage particularly from local private media, as well as the pro-west international press.
Dr Mashowe said some negative reports about the country were scaring away potential investors.
“We are the sector that can tell the investors that if they invest in Zimbabwe their investment is secure and we are the sector that can generate that confidence. But we are also the sector that can destroy that confidence,” he said.
“Destroying that confidence means destroying our own businesses because if potential investors are scared by what we tell them, and they do not invest in Zimbabwe, it means no jobs and also no disposable income,” said Minister Mushowe.
“It is within our power to make sure that Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes are turned around. Yes others can contribute towards that but our sector has a major role to play in reviving our economy because we are the sector that can tell the world out there that there are opportunities for investment in Zimbabwe,” he said. Dr Mushowe said Government was open to sharing ideas with all media houses in the country and was cognisant of the power of the media.
“Let us not be agents of destruction. We need to work together to rebuild this country. We are a key and strategic sector which can make or break the nation. It is in our interest not to break but to make this nation better. If we break then we are destroying ourselves,” he said.
“I am not suggesting that we should not write about bad things if they are happening. We must always remember that Zimbabwe is the only country that we can claim in heaven and on earth to be ours.
‘‘We can be accepted elsewhere for the contributions that we could make but this is the only piece of the earth that we can legitimately, proudly and confidently say it’s ours.”
Minister Mushohwe said it was counter development for the media to report negatively about the country. “If investors lose confidence, we will begin to witness closure of companies and this means loss of jobs and loss of income. It also means loss of the market share for us because it is those people who are employed who will be able to buy our products as the media.
“We have the power to ensure that people out there see Zimbabwe as an investment destination of choice through our reporting,” he said.
Minister Mushohwe said the local media industry, which is facing serious challenges owing to the closure of a number of newspapers also stands to gain from giving a positive portray of Zimbabwe.
He expressed his passion about the growth of the media sector and urged media organisations to work closely with his Ministry.
