Future of media industry must be anchored on national values - Jonathan Moyo

The transformation of mainstream media in Zimbabwe from its current polarised state to a credible industry demands a reflection of multiplicity of views with shared national identity, values and competing business interests.

In a lecture delivered at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Professor Jonathan Moyo said the future of the media industry must be anchored on national values based on viable business projects and not as sponsored projects of regime change agenda.

Minister Moyo said it is critical for Zimbabweans to understand that polarisation of the media is a result of the fact that the country's fourth estate was not a part of the liberation struggle, but an oppressive tool of the colonisers.

Professor Moyo said unlike the institutions of traditional leaders and the church, which embraced the liberation struggle, the mainstream media must conform and adopt the national interest agenda for it to be relevant.

He added that the media must not be defined by who owns it, but by what it can do for society.

Professor Moyo said in line with the constitution, the nation's founding values must guide the media.

Later, Minister Moyo toured studios at NUST where he said government will assist the institution to equip the studios as well as facilitating narrow casting for purposes of training.