SECTOR 4

“The biggest asset of the guys doing media studies is that they’re very good at
research. But there needs to be a balance between research and journalism.”
Some media CSOs such as MISA and VMCZ also offer some career development
training. MISA, for example, provides a back to basics training course.
Additionally, media houses also provide on-the-job training. The Daily News, for
example, is recognised for doing a good job at training young graduates on the
job. Zimpapers also had a scheme to assist journalists who wanted to further their
skills. However, due to economic problems being experienced in the country, this
scheme has been discontinued.
One panellist noted that in addition to the training of journalists, there is a need
to train the trainers, and to collaborate more closely with the media sector to
ensure that what is being trained is relevant in practice.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

3.4 (2012 = 3.5; 2010 = 3.1; 2008 = 3.0;
2006 = 4.0)

4.8 Equal opportunities regardless of race or ethnicity,
social group, gender/sex, religion, disabilities and age
are promoted in media houses.
Panellists were divided with regards to the extent to which equal opportunities
exist for the groups noted in this indicator – particularly women.
“There is not a single female editor in mainstream media.” This is despite the
fact that at training level, there are more female than male journalism students.
ZiFM has women in top management, but in sales and marketing, not in the
newsrooms.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015

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