The Zimbabwean media sector is going through a lot of challenges forcing some media houses to close and newspapers folding. One paper under Alpha media stable (Southern eye) stopped publishing end of March. The company closed due to lack of revenue to thrive in the media sector.
The papers people buy in the streets or from the original stable are not enough to generate income for its workers and to continue to publish.
Companies that were the cash cows and paid lots of money when advertising have since vanished and have moved along the times by using billboards, text messages to subscribers or members, listservs on the internet or through their company websites.
The daily was launched on 3 June 2013 and closed on 1 April 2015. The country's biggest newspaper stable (Zimpapers) is retrenching, while the Zimbabwe Mail closed down on March 18.
In its short-life span, Southern Eye had assumed a critical role
in amplifying the voices of marginalised communities in Masvingo,
Midlands and Matabeleland regions whose concerns and issues may escape coverage by the national mainstream media.
Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting services, Jonathan Moyo shared the same sentiments with MISA that the operating sector has become difficult for media houses. For the newspaper industry to remain viable,
the authorities should deregulate the media and open more
opportunities for outside investors. That way media houses will generate more than they do now.
Former journalist and now director of the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute Pedzisai Ruhanya said the closure of newspapers and the retrenching of workers was a reflection of the deepening crisis in the economy.
Zimbabwean law prohibits foreigners
from owning or investing in media services. ''Until the government sorts out the macro-economic fundamentals of the economy we are likely to see further newspapers closures in a similar manner companies are closing down,'' he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment