ZIMPAPERS - Government Propaganda Vehicle?

Zimpapers essentially standards for Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited. It is the parent or holding company of a state controlled group of publications covering newspapers, magazines, online publications, commercial printing and publishing. The noble idea behind the company when it was established in 1980 at Zimbabwe's political independence from Britain was to improve access to information especially amongst previously marginalised African indigenous people.

Zimpapers controls and is responsible for the following publications;

• The Herald
• The Sunday Mail
• Kwayedza ( Shona language paper)
• Chronicle
• Sunday News
• UMthunywa (Ndebele language paper)
• Manica Post
• H-Metro (Introduced 2009)
• New Farmer (Magazine)
• Zimbabwean Travel (Magazine)
• Trends (Magazine)

It also has other interests in commercial printing and packaging through the following companies;

• Natprint
• BoldAds
• Typocrafters

Of all its investments, The Herald is the leading money spinner with the biggest daily newspaper circulation in Zimbabwe. Zimpapers head office is in Harare the capital of Zimbabwe at Herald House. The company has a huge and effective distribution network that covers the entire country. This gives it an unmatched competitive advantage over many other publishing houses in the print media industry.

The government of Zimbabwe through ZANU PF over the years have taken active interest in Zimpapers to the point of absolute control via the Ministry of Information. Comparing the company's publications from the 80s and early 1990s, there was no hesitation to mention the president of Zimbabwe as Mugabe in headline titles. Today, this is a taboo to the company to the extent of heads rolling. There is now no single headline published by the company that refers to  Robert Mugabe as just  "Mugabe" with out any accompanying expressions of reverence and great respect and honour.

Zimpapers has been used extensively by the government led by  ZANU PF party over the years to mislead and misrepresent information to the people of Zimbabwe. It's defenders argue that this is necessary in order to protect the public from American and British propaganda against Zimbabwe and it's revolutionary leaders.

The company is listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) with government as the majority shareholders. Other shareholders include the individual employees of the company as well as other big investors such as Old Mutual the insurance giant. Zimpapers is run by a board of directors whose interest are evidently inclined towards government policy as the major shareholder.

The share price for the company has largely remained suppressed due to government interference. Some hope however remains for growth once the Zimbabwe media space is completely and evidently liberalised. it appears investors still continue to wait on the side lines.

In 2009 as there was increased talk of media liberalisation, the company introduced another publication called H-Metro distributed mostly in Harare. Independent media analysts pointed out that the company had been given a head-start by government to establish itself via other publications ahead of opening up of the media space. Rumors has it that the company is working on setting up a private radio station ahead of others who have applied and have been waiting for a license.

Do you have  an experience to share about Zimpapers? Submit your experience below.