Independent Media for Public Accountability in Zimbabwe (IMPAZ)
Media professionals in Zimbabwe face restrictions with regards to financial resources, operating environment and capacities to engage citizens to hold duty bearers effectively to account. Switzerland’s contribution to two local media organisations will support investigative reporting, sustainability strategies for media houses and the safety of journalists, thereby investing both in media houses’ institutional capacities as well as improved access to information and freedom of media in Zimbabwe.
| Pays/région | Thème | Période | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zimbabwe |
Gouvernance
Médias & liberté de l’information
Participation démocratique et société civile |
01.07.2026
- 30.06.2029 |
CHF 3’100’000
|
- Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est
- Media in Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe, Centre for Technology & Innovation (CITE)
-
Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE GOUVERNEMENT ET SOCIETE CIVILE
GOUVERNEMENT ET SOCIETE CIVILE
Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE Médias et liberté de l'information
Participation démocratique et société civile
Thème transversal Le projet contribue à améliorer le fonctionnement de l'organisation partenaire
Type d'aide Mandat sans gestion de fonds
Contribution à des projets ou programmes
Numéro de projet 7F11533
| Contexte |
Zimbabwe’s media sector operates within a complex political, legal and economic environment that continues to constrain freedom of expression and access to information. While the 2013 Constitution guarantees these rights, significant challenges remain, including limited capacity to use these provisions and persistent reluctance by public institutions to disclose information. At the same time, watchdog journalism often remains episodic and event-driven, exposing corruption without linking it to systemic governance failures, which limits meaningful social accountability. Restrictive laws, arrests of journalists, and economic pressures further contribute to selfcensorship, declining investigative depth and reduced public trust. Yet, a digitally connected and civically engaged population, particularly youth, highlights the potential for stronger participation. Strengthening the safety, sustainability and professional capacity of independent media, alongside more systems-oriented reporting, is therefore essential to promote transparency, accountability and informed citizen participation in Zimbabwe. |
| Objectifs | To strengthen public accountability, access to information and freedom of expresssion in Zimbabwe by enhancing the sustainability, professionalism and investigative capacity of the media sector. |
| Groupes cibles | Journalists and media practitioners, including investigative and community journalists; independent media outlets and community radio stations; journalism educators, students and earlycareer journalists; civil society organisations and community-based organisations; citizens and local authorities |
| Effets à moyen terme |
1) Journalists and media organisations contribute to a more enabling environment for inclusive development and freedom of expression 2) Enhanced financial sustainability and investigative capacities of public-interest media outlets 3) Increased opportunities for citizens to access information and engage in local governance processes |
| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus: • 1 information ecosystem audit report produced to support media policy and system improvements • 16 investigative stories, with at least 8 triggering public debate or institutional response, supported. • 365 stories annually (minimum 1 per day), production of 6 explainer videos, and achievement of at least 500,000 weekly reach and 2 million monthly impressions, increasing public access to governance and accountability information. • 36 livestreamed council meetings across 6 local authorities • 200 digital and public engagements and generation of at least 20 public commitments or official responses from authorities • 6 journalism and digital media trainings organized. Principaux résultats antérieurs: • 259 journalists and editors (133 m, 126 f) trained on investigative journalism, digital safety, security, and fact-checking in 2024 • 143 public officials (95 m, 48 f) trained on Freedom of information act compliance in 2024 • Community based organizations and journalists supported to file 11 direct information requests to public institutions in 2024 • Monthly revenue grew from USD 200 or less to between USD 3,500 and 4,000 for two supported media houses (2023-2026) • MoU signed between the Centre for Technology and Innovation (CITE) and Bulawayo City Council to train young people at council youth centres in digital skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Media and Information Literacy (MIL) • CITE investigative story on mining in the Mavhuradonha Wilderness area triggered official public statement by the National Musuems and Monuments of Zimbabwe. |
| Direction/office fédéral responsable |
DDC |
| Partenaire de projet |
Partenaire contractuel ONG internationale ou étrangère Secteur privé |
| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs | Local Governance Project (LOGO360), Diverse Pathways for Peace Project (DP4P), Peace Support Project (PSP) |
| Budget | Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF 3’100’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF 0 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF 0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 3’100’000 |
| Phases du projet | Phase 1 01.07.2026 - 30.06.2029 (Phase en cours) |
