Mudenda slams poor content on local radio, ZTV

Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has criticised the quality of programming on ZTV and local radio stations, warning that some content is undermining Zimbabwe's cultural identity and damaging the country's image.

Speaking in Bulawayo on Thursday during the 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar, Mudenda singled out Star FM for broadcasting what he described as pedestrian and unconstructive content.

"You listen to Star FM when I'm driving home, pedestrian content. Not constructive to the image of Zimbabwe, to say the least," he said.

Mudenda also expressed concern over the language used by some radio presenters, arguing that certain expressions were inappropriate for public broadcasting and showed little regard for listeners.

"There are certain words you cannot use in the public domain, and you must respect the listeners accordingly," he said.

He challenged national broadcasters to take a leading role in promoting Zimbabwean culture, preserving indigenous languages and projecting a positive national image.

"ZTV and our radio should be used to brand Zimbabwe," Mudenda said, urging presenters to embrace and promote the country's indigenous languages.

He warned that the continued neglect of indigenous languages risked eroding Zimbabwe's cultural heritage and leaving future generations disconnected from their identity.

"Language defines our dignity. Language defines our identity," he said.

Mudenda called on the Ministries of Education and Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to develop policies that encourage greater appreciation and proper use of indigenous languages, particularly in broadcasting.

"Otherwise, in the next 50 years we will have no identity at all," he warned.