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Impact of Covid 19 on Media Sustainability

Purpose
The focus of the research was to:
i.

Highlight the background circumstances in which the media has been operating in prior to
Covid 19, which include the challenges relating to print media vis-à-vis digital content creation,
citizen journalism etc.

ii. Analyse the impact of Covid 19 on the media industry including a focus on the capacity of
media houses to generate content when nations are on lockdown, distribution channels for such
products, the capacity of consumers to pay for media services among other aspects.
iii. Assess the correlation between the impact of Covid 19 on media and the exercise of rights like
media freedom, access to information and freedom of expression.
iv. Provide recommendations on how media sustainability and viability can be maintained or
improved in the circumstances including the roles that different stakeholders can play including
government, civil society organisations and media houses.
This report was focusing on the Southern African region and more specifically countries like Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho and Tanzania.

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