Mensenrechtendag: Harare
The space for media freedom and access to information is restricted in Zimbabwe. In the run-up to Human Rights Day on 10 December, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe organised a campaign ‘Media Diversity – Broaden your Horizon’. During the month long campaign various exciting events have taken place to ‘broaden horizons’ when it comes to media issues in Zimbabwe. A short outline of the agenda:
29 October: Kick-off event and official launch of journalistic competition (first prize is an exchange to the Netherlands!) with Ambassador Gera Sneller discussing perspectives on media diversity together with representatives from the Zimbabwe Media Commission and Alpha Media Holdings;
7 November: Radio Indaba under the theme ‘Radio: key to amplifying youth voice’ bringing together youths and stakeholders from academia, media and civil society to discuss issues of youth and radio;
12 November: Documentary film screening of Forbidden Voices followed by a panel discussion with guest speaker from the Netherlands Stefan Verwer, Director Lokaalmondiaal/publisher Vice Versa, and Delta Ndou, award-winning Zimbabwean blogger discussing their experiences working in the media and how the advent of the Internet and blogging has affected their respective media landscapes;
14 November: Discussion Forum on the experiences of journalists: international, regional and local perspectives from Stefan Verwer, Director Lokaalmondiaal/publisher Vice Versa and editors from the Zimbabwe Independent (private media), The Herald (state media) and the Star (South Africa);
16 November: Media Diversity Fair at Harare Gardens, a fun family day open to all with many media organisations promoting their work, artist performances and guest appearances by famous Zimbabwean actors;
19 & 21 November: Lectures for media students studying at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Bulawayo and Midlands State University (MSU), Gweru during which research findings on the study ‘Media Coverage of Gender and Women’s Issues in Zimbabwe – Ommission or Commission’ were presented;
26 November: Public round-up meeting and journalistic competition Award Ceremony presenting the winner who will be part of an exchange to the Netherlands broadcasted live on ZiFM radio station;
27 November: Tweett@ble on ‘Prospects and Challenges of the Zimbabwean Media Landscape’ together with representatives from the Ministry of ICT and CSOs.
4 December: Online Film and TV Distribution Workshop on how one can create a Digital Ecosystem for film and television in Zimbabwe with leaders from the industry and telecoms representatives;
News and updates around the campaign can be followed on the Media Diversity Campaign website, Facebook and Twitter page as well as Youtube:
Website: http://www.mediadiversityzim.com/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=zim+media+diversity+campaign&sm=3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mediadiversitycampaign
Twitter: @DiverseMediaZim #BroadenYourHorizon
Using social media during the campaign certainly worked in Zimbabwe. For example, interaction with participants increased significantly by the use of Twitter! For an impression, see attachments.