Young Journalists Power Zim’s Digital Media Boom

Young journalists are now at the heart of Zimbabwe’s digital media revolution, the Young Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (YOJA) has said calling for cheaper data, stronger connectivity and formal recognition of online media as part of the country’s mainstream press. “For us, data is the newsroom. It is our camera, our editing suite, our archive and our broadcasting signal.

When the internet is slow, expensive or unstable, our work simply stops.” he said YOJA represents more than 430 young journalists working across rural, urban and peri-urban Zimbabwe. Many of them now lead some of the country’s most influential digital platforms, including 263Chat, Southern Environment, Rory Media, Sports Brief, She Corresponds, Bhora Africa, NewsHub, Tigzozo Media, TechMag, Citizen’s Voice Network and Bustop TV. “These are not side projects.

They are real newsrooms, real brands and real employers of young people – built mostly on mobile data, passion and resilience,” Mutongwiza said “This shows that when young creators are connected, they can reach millions and shape public debate. Supporting emerging media is therefore not optional – it is strategic,” he said. Despite Zimbabwe’s rising internet penetration, Mutongwiza said meaningful access remained a major barrier for young journalists.

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“You can have a signal on your phone and still be unable to upload a video, join a Zoom interview or live-stream a press conference. For us, low-quality and expensive internet is the same as no internet at all,” he said

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