Business Correspondent
Information Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere has warned the print media industry to adapt to technological advancements and artificial intelligence or face collapse.
“The phone, artificial intelligence, broadband, and information science have completely transformed the way we live… There is a total shift in marketing from the old print and broadcasting media to social media platforms,” Dr. Muswere said at the National University of Science and Technology’s 11th Annual International Conference on Communication and Information Science.
He noted that newspaper sales in Zimbabwe have plummeted from over 100,000 to less than 10,000 per day, emphasizing the need for the industry to evolve.
Dr. Muswere called for the development of home-grown social media platforms to safeguard national and African sovereignty, as international platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok dominate advertising and marketing.
“Universities must take the lead for Zimbabwe to develop its own social media platforms… Reliance on social media platforms owned by international giants will continue to threaten the sovereignty of our nation and other African countries,” he said.
When asked about government efforts to protect print media, Dr. Muswere replied, “It’s up to them to adapt or face extinction.”
He highlighted the government’s initiatives to promote technological advancements and innovation financing models, including the introduction of innovation hubs and the development of new policies on artificial intelligence, media, and communication.
“Sovereignty is no longer defined by physical borders… Disruptive technologies and the utilisation of information science and artificial intelligence have altered the physical perimeters of our borders,” Dr. Muswere said.
He emphasized the need for home-grown solutions to protect national sovereignty in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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