By Cde Sikhosana Bambazonke

This week, Zimbabwe successfully launched the Zimbabwe Media Policy, a document that directs raw propaganda in its purest form. 

Featuring the picture of Mwenemutapa, it is a pristine guide designed to control and charter the media landscape firmly in ZANU PF’s hands.

The Trabablas-led regime has done more for media in Zimbabwe than previous administrations, including the Bob-led government, in which Ruka Chivende was also involved. 

The previous administration failed to recognize the true role of media in shaping the country’s political dynamics. 

However, under the able leadership of Baba Two, complacency is a thing of the past. 

Numerous community radios have been established under the mantra of leaving no one and no space behind. 

This has enabled the viral spread of ZANU PF propaganda to areas that cannot access traditional platforms like ZBC and Radio Zimbabwe. 

These outlets are not balanced but serve as extensions of existing subjugation.

Minister of information Jenfran Muswere, was spot on when he said that 10,000 teachers will be trained to use AI productively and patriotically, while the government aims to provide a laptop per child. 

Never mind the fact that the government cannot manage a textbook per child policy, or even afford an exercise book, pencil, or pen per child. 

The current regime lives by the principle: promise them everything and deliver nothing.

His Excellency the modern-day King was also on point when he said the problem with the ever-changing media landscape is that people are overwhelmed with too much information. 

This dilutes propaganda and helps people see through government lies. 

That, Comrades, is totally unacceptable. He was equally factual when he said AI and social media are now threats to national security, and that stricter policies will be introduced to prevent people from learning the truth.

An informed person is dangerous to the very existence and continued rule of ZANU-PF. 

Social media must be regulated. Now that ZANU-PF’s social media trolls—like Varakashi and the cyber team—have been defeated online, it is time to adopt new methods to fight this scourge. 

Media is the one tool that must never be compromised.