THE ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Nick Mangwana says online media has moved beyond being the future to become central to Zimbabwe’s present communication landscape.
He made the remarks during the NetOne Online Media Strategy Building Session in Harare yesterday.
“You drive the national conversation, shape public opinion, and reach millions, especially our youth, in real time,” Mangwana said.
“As we witness the steady migration from legacy media to digital content creation, your role becomes even more central to national development and unity.”
This comes amid a shift from traditional platforms to online.
Mangwana said foreign sponsorship that had long shaped local narratives was coming to an end.
“For years, a significant portion of media sponsorship and agenda-setting has originated from external actors.
“This has, at times, skewed the lens through which our Zimbabwean story is told. That chapter is closing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the head of public relations at NetOne, Richard Mahomva, emphasised the importance of engaging with online media, which relies on data to function.
He described the media as a vital constituent in communicating national issues and building the country’s image, highlighting how online platforms position their activities within the framework of the National Development Strategy 2 for 2026–2030.
Tinashe Nekati