Govt moves to regulate online media content

Source: Govt moves to regulate online media content – herald

Trust Freddy

Zimpapers Correspondent

Government has moved to curb digital misinformation by transitioning to a new co-regulatory media framework designed to address the proliferation of deepfakes, fake news and the surge of immoral content being disseminated by online broadcasters.

The shift follows concerns over the unchecked rise of digital platforms, where some users are reportedly circulating information that is not only inaccurate, but also harmful to children and damaging to the country’s social fabric.

Officially opening the Broadcast Evolution Zimbabwe Conference in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the rapid collapse of boundaries between traditional broadcasting and digital media required an adaptive, rather than restrictive, policy approach.

The high-level indaba, organised by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), ran under the theme: “Regulating the Digital Frontier: Online Broadcasting, Ethics, and Co-Regulatory Approaches in the Age of AI and New Media.”

Dr Soda was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana, and Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe board chairperson, Mr Valentine Mutatu, among other officials.

Addressing delegates, Dr Soda described the smartphone as a “global distribution channel” that had turned every citizen into a potential broadcaster.

“We are living in a disruptive environment,” the minister said.

“The once-clear boundaries between broadcasting, telecommunications and digital media are dissolving. Our regulatory response must therefore be adaptive rather than restrictive; collaborative rather than purely prescriptive.

“Today, a single smartphone is not just a device; it is a newsroom, a broadcasting studio, an advertising platform and a global distribution channel, all rolled into one.”

This evolution, he warned, presents a fundamental challenge for traditional information control and the verification of truth.

“This convergence presents immense opportunities for innovation, economic growth, youth participation and media diversity. Yet, it also introduces complex regulatory questions: How do we govern content? How do we ensure platform accountability, protect intellectual property, combat misinformation and uphold ethical journalism, while maintaining our national regulatory sovereignty?”

Central to the new policy direction is the move towards co-regulation — a model where the State, industry players and professional bodies share the responsibility for setting and enforcing ethical standards.

Dr Soda also stressed that while Government remained committed to the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) goal of building a modern digital economy, it would not compromise on the “timeless values” of journalism.

“The speed of online information has too often come at the expense of accuracy, verification and accountability,” he added. “We are witnessing the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, manipulated media and deepfakes — all of which threaten public trust and social stability.”

On the emergence of AI, the minister said that while the technology offers “remarkable opportunities” for efficiency and personalisation, Zimbabwe must ensure its adoption is guided by transparency to prevent manipulation of information ecosystems.

“AI is already being deployed to generate news content, personalise audience experiences, moderate platforms, analyse behaviour and produce synthetic audios and videos.

“While these technologies offer remarkable opportunities for efficiency and innovation, they also raise serious ethical and regulatory concerns around deepfakes, intellectual property rights, algorithmic bias and the potential for manipulated information ecosystems.

“Zimbabwe must ensure that the integration of AI into our media sector is guided by clear ethical principles, transparency and accountability.”

Mr Mutatu echoed these sentiments, saying regulation must strike a balance between maintaining standards and allowing innovation.

“All broadcasters and content creators must uphold standards of accuracy, integrity and fairness. With the rise of AI and deepfakes, accountability is more important than ever. We support clear ethical guidelines and a co-regulatory approach involving industry and regulators.

“Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to enable a dynamic and responsible media sector. We seek a balanced regulatory framework that promotes creativity and investment while ensuring accountability and the protection of national                 interests.”

Media Alliance of Zimbabwe coordinator Nigel Nyamutumbu said: “Online broadcasters have often abused the constitutionally provided freedom of expression, which has led to a culture of unverified and inaccurate news, and the proposal of co-regulation addresses that.”

MISA Harare Advocacy Chairperson Mlondolozi Ndlovu also backed co-regulation as a key pillar for the industry.

“The issue of co-regulation is imperative, particularly when we talk of online platforms, because this means it is a collaborative effort between those effecting regulation and those affected by it, and building consensus between the two.”