Adopt digital technologies to remain relevant, Dr Mwinyi tells public broadcasters

Dar es Salaam. The President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has urged public broadcasting services (PBS) in Africa to adopt digital technologies if they want to stay relevant and keep up with changes in the rapidly evolving global media landscape.

Speaking today, Tuesday, October 10, 2013, in Zanzibar during the official launch of the 37th Southern African Broadcasting Association (Saba), Dr Mwinyi said that if public broadcasters do not organise themselves well and be ready for technological changes, they will lose their audience, rendering massive investments in their operations valueless.

The Saba meeting was convened to discuss how broadcasters can continue to sustain themselves economically and remain relevant amid advancements in digital technologies.

"We, the members of Saba, have agreed that it's the right time to ensure that public broadcasting has reliable sources of income so that they can withstand financial challenges and thus properly fulfil the concept of promoting and protecting African culture,” Dr Mwinyi insisted.

Saba was launched in 1993 as a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation to promote quality broadcasting by enhancing professionalism and the credibility of public service broadcasting among SADC countries.

Dr Mwinyi urged public broadcasting services in Africa to ensure they become creative to boost the welfare of the people, adding that the sector is important for stimulating social and economic activities.

“I am told that during the meeting various topics will be discussed, and I call upon participants to engage in positive debate for the interests of the people and the African continent in general,” he stressed.

The Deputy Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr Kundo Mathew, said that broadcasting is an important tool for economic growth.

He noted that the media has the responsibility to push for the adoption of information technology (IT) for the benefit of the people.

“There were unfounded fears that digital technologies could take up people's jobs, but now. That did not happen, and now, with the emergence of artificial intelligence, we see a repeat of the situation. Broadcasters can help us prepare ourselves,” he emphasised.

Mr Mathew said advancements in digital technologies make them inevitable, whether one wants them or not.

“It's time for Africa to leapfrog. What we need to do is unlock our mindset so we can adapt to reality by working together.”