A Stronger Voice - Wilf Mbanga
The Zimbabwean Online has been re-designed
Dear Colleague
On Tuesday 14 June 2011 our new online news platform will be launched. At the same URL (www.thezimbabwean.co.uk) but with a brand new user interface, it will present a new richness of content. Easy to navigate, the new interface will bring The Zimbabwean’s content to its reader in a way that is clear and fresh.
The new website also represents a refreshed editorial structure with greater content associations and cross-referencing for a more in-depth and diverse news experience. It will encourage increased appreciation and exploration of the site’s rich content.
Our goal is to present news in a manner that better reflects the high standard of journalism for which we constantly strive. Through a new and distinct typographic design and a considered, clearly sign-posted structure we will uphold the values of The Zimbabwean and build on the publication’s established reputation for professionalism and accuracy.
A Voice for the Voiceless
Since its inception in 2005 The Zimbabwean has been A Voice for the Voiceless, dedicated to Truth, Justice, Hope and our country, Zimbabwe. It has diligently reported on the situation in our homeland, its culture and its people as well as on international affairs as they relate to Zimbabwe.
As time and technology change it is important that those who strive to report the facts keep pace. Over the last six months we have carried out an in-depth review of The Zimbabwean’s editorial structure and its content, to pave the way for this major upgrade.
We want to build on The Zimbabwean’s reputation as a courageous, authoritative and content-rich news service. And to do so in ways that keep it relevant, accessible and effective.
International Respect
The result of our commitment is respect. The Zimbabwean is held in high regard as a fair and reliable source of insight by its readership and also many other international news platforms.
Add to that the enormous body of support that has sustained the newspaper financially and encouraged it practically - support that is testament to the quality of journalism found within its pages.
International Support
Since its launch, The Zimbabwean has received the support of many international figures and organisations.
In 2009, with the global advertising agency TBWA, The Zimbabwean launched The Trillion Dollar Campaign to bring attention to both the publication and the Zimbabwean situation. The campaign won a record number of prestigious awards and brought the newspaper to the attention of many new readers. In 2010, a follow-up campaign – The Voiceless – was launched to tell the stories of Zimbabweans to the world.
Continuing our Promise
The promise we made when The Zimbabwean was first launched remains as strong now as it did when it was first made:
The Zimbabwean will be an authoritative and accurate newspaper of record and a reliable source of information to all those individuals, agencies and governments with an interest in Zimbabwe. A news blackout is dangerous for any society.
We will ensure that our coverage is accurate, fair and balanced. We will be accountable to our readers. We will endeavour to give all viewpoints and everyone will have the right of reply. In short, we will do everything the government newspapers in Zimbabwe are not allowed to do.
We hope you find the new Zimbabwean delivers an informative, well-balanced and accurate view. If you would like to find out more about The Zimbabwean, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
For a preview of the new Zimbabwean, download the PDF Press Release.
Wilf Mbanga
Editor
The Zimbabwean



