Data Journalism Lab Zw

Bridging the rural digital divide: Innovating news distribution in Zimbabwe by Leopold Kudakwashe Munhende

Delivering news to underserved audiences through community networks

I was appointed interim editor of NewZimbabwe.com, the country’s first and most-read online paper, for four months in 2023.

It was the most interesting, challenging but rewarding period of my journalism career. Interesting in that what I learnt is still unmatched, challenging in that certain hurdles were difficult to manoeuvre around and rewarding because of a fatter pocket.

After my predecessor had breached the million visitors per month mark, I managed to get the paper to 1.5 million as was regularly reported by similarweb.com

With increased visitor numbers satisfying audiences and oversight, things were looking up — until metrics plateaued with no clear path forward.

When readership stagnated at 1.5 million visitors, facing growing competition from other emerging online publications, it was clear strategies needed to change. Unfortunately, metrics then began plummeting significantly and have remained lower than hoped, leaving the solution unclear.

Participating in the Innovate360 programme will empower me with the skills and knowledge needed to develop effective audience growth and revenue strategies. I expect the coming months will provide lessons in content distribution, monetization, and other tactics that can help revive readership numbers. Optimising how information reaches communities without access could be key to reigniting the momentum.

U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe


Read the full article here: https://medium.com/zimbabwe-entrepreneurial-journalism-program-for/bridging-the-rural-digital-divide-innovating-news-distribution-in-zimbabwe-643289e037d0

Bridging the rural digital divide: Innovating news distribution in Zimbabwe Delivering news to underserved audiences through community networks