Categories: Stories

The Zimbabwean newspaper to close down next week

The Zimbabwean newspaper which was started 10 years ago by Wilf Mbanga, one of the founders of The Daily News before it was closed down in 2003, is to close down next week but its online news will continue.

The paper, a daily at one time, says its sales never recovered following the hijacking and burning of a truck carrying copies of its newspaper in May 2008 and the subsequent imposition of a 74 percent tax on newspapers brought from outside into Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean was published in London and copies meant for Zimbabwe were printed in South Africa.

The publication was, however, heavily reliant on donors whose funding, it says was leveraged “to distribute the newspaper mainly to rural communities, where 80% are women and young people who have hardly any access to independent media or vital information sources”.

The demise of The Zimbabwean is an indication of international donor fatigue on Zimbabwe.

Another media outlet, SW Radio Africa, which was also heavily dependent on donors and received funding from some of the same donors that sponsored The Zimbabwean, closed down last year after being on the air for 13 years. It was also based in London.

(59 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Will Mnangagwa go against the trend in the region?

Plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to…

October 22, 2024

The Zimbabwe government and not saboteurs sabotaging ZiG

The Zimbabwe government’s insatiable demand for money to satisfy its own needs, which has exceeded…

October 20, 2024

The Zimbabwe Gold will regain its value if the government does this…

Economist Eddie Cross says the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) will regain its value if the government…

October 16, 2024

Is Harare the least democratic province in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, which is a metropolitan province, is the least democratic province in the…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabweans against extension of presidential term in office

Nearly 80% of Zimbabweans are against the extension of the president’s term in office, according…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabwe government biggest loser when there is a discrepancy in the exchange rate

The government is the biggest loser when there is a discrepancy between the official exchange…

October 10, 2024