FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-Journalists and media organisations have been urged to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) ethically and responsibly as technological advancements continue to transform the global media landscape.
The call was made by Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Director for Media Development and Governance Nyaradzo Makombe Hazangwi during a media development workshop held in Masvingo at Clevers Lakeview Hotel on Friday.
Hazangwi said artificial intelligence has become an integral part of modern journalism and should be embraced in ways that uphold professional standards and ethical principles.
“Let’s adopt AI ethically. We cannot ignore the reality that artificial intelligence is becoming part of our daily lives and newsroom operations,” she said.
She added that journalists must understand both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI to ensure that the technology enhances rather than undermines credible journalism.
“As part of our media development programmes, we are travelling across the country to capacitate journalists on emerging trends shaping the media industry. We have been focusing on the digital era and the growing influence of artificial intelligence, which we cannot afford to ignore,” said Hazangwi.
Hazangwi said the commission is also encouraging media organisations to develop policies that guide the responsible use of AI in newsrooms.
“Our goal is to equip media practitioners with the skills to use AI tools effectively and ethically, while also assisting them in developing policies that guide the responsible use of these technologies,” she said.
The ZMC director further stressed the importance of incorporating local languages into AI systems to ensure Zimbabwe’s cultural and linguistic heritage is preserved in the digital era.
The workshop brought together journalists and media practitioners from across the Chiredzi and Masvingo to discuss AI, digital transformation and the preservation of indigenous languages in the digital age.
Media development expert Conrad Mwanawashe echoed Hazangwi’s sentiments, saying resistance to technological change was no longer a viable option.
“You can’t fight technology. The important thing is to ensure that we adopt it in a manner that is lawful, ethical and beneficial to society,” said Mwanawashe.
He said AI should be viewed as a tool that can complement journalism by improving efficiency and supporting content creation while maintaining the core values of accuracy, fairness and accountability.
Participants welcomed the initiative, saying it enhanced their understanding of AI and reinforced the importance of verification, fact-checking and ethical reporting in an increasingly digital media environment.
One of the participants, Wilbert Chibi, said the training had dispelled misconceptions that artificial intelligence encourages laziness among journalists.
“AI can hallucinate, and journalists should never use AI-generated content without proper research, verification and fact-checking. The workshop helped us understand that AI is a tool to assist our work, not replace journalistic responsibility,” said Chibi.
The workshop forms part of ZMC’s ongoing efforts to equip journalists with the skills needed to navigate emerging technologies and adapt to the changing demands of the media industry.
