Marginalised communities in Zimbabwe face the challenge of limited or no access to reliable news and information which reflects their realities.

This is due to poor network coverage or the fact that national media do not operate in their preferred language. This deprives them of their right to participate in — and contribute to — the socio economic and political agenda of the country, and engage with issues which affect their everyday lives.

In order to address this situation, Internews implemented the Zimbabwe Media Development project in the Southern provinces of

Bulawayo, Midlands, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South between May 2019 to April 2022. The project was supported by Sida and sought to equip independent media and civil society with the skills, knowledge and tools to deliver better coverage of marginalised areas so that people have the information they need and opportunities to have their voices amplified.

Internews commissioned a team of researchers led by Dr Sampson Mtisi to ascertain how this project influenced and impacted upon the information ecosystem in Southern Zimbabwe halfway through implementation. This report outlines the findings of that study.