20110218
Xinhua
HARARE, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A high-powered Iranian state media delegation on Thursday arrived for a four-day visit to Zimbabwe to explore areas of cooperation with their local counterparts.

The delegation met Media Information and Publicity permanent secretary George Charamba who underscored the need for Zimbabwean and Iranian media to broaden their interaction.

Charamba quoted by New Ziana said that it was imperative for the two countries to capacitate their media institutions so that they did not rely on Western news organizations as sources of information.

"We have to develop platforms that allow us to share information. For far too long we have relied on the BBC which is hostile to us for us to know each other. How do we get to know developments happening in each other's countries without relying on the BBC?" he asked.

He said it was imperative for Iran and Zimbabwe to start media exchange programs as a way of enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

"We can establish training programs by way of placements, just to have Zimbabwean journalists attached to one of your organizations will broaden their scope," he said, adding that Zimbabwe and Namibia had a similar arrangement.

The visiting delegation comprises representatives from the Jame Jam Newspaper, the Iran Newspaper and the ISNA News Agency.

Heads of Zimbabwe's media, New Ziana, Zimbabwe Newspapers and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH), also attended the meeting.