Mass media in Zimbabwe

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The media of Zimbabwe has varying amounts of control by successive governments, coming under tight restriction in recent years by the government of Robert Mugabe, particularly during the growing economic and political crisis in the country. The Zimbabwean constitution promotes freedom of the media and expression, however this is hampered by interference and the implementation of strict media laws. In its 2008 report, Reporters Without Borders ranked the Zimbabwean media as 151st out of 173.[1]

History

1965–1980

Following Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, one of the main aims of the protracted political struggle launched by the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) during the Rhodesian Bush War was for a free press.[2] The independent Rhodesian press was also almost universally critical of UDI, and claimed to have been subject to physical intimidation by the authorities. New legislation was also passed declaring it illegal to print statements "likely to cause alarm, fear, or despondency among readers".[3] In the 1970s, criticism was leveled at Rhodesia's Official Secrets Act, which made it a crime to publish articles related to "classified information" and the Law and Order Maintenance Act (LOMA), which allowed the state to impose exceptionally heavy sentences on those who violated the ban.[2] Such acts were used to impose a media blackout on journalists reporting on allegedly excessive losses or setbacks suffered by the Rhodesian Security Forces as the bush war intensified. Media was ordered to focus on casualties among guerrillas and to report on their retreats to Zambia and Mozambique.[2]

Shortly after the

general elections were held in February 1980 nothing had been done to alter it.[4] Nevertheless, the security forces were also forbidden to abuse the legislation by banning the publication of political material. The Rhodesian government had also issued a number of "D Notices", which revoked publishing rights to photographs of two candidates, Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe, except through official sanction. These remained in force during the election.[4]

1980–1999

After Mugabe's victory in the 1980 election, the new

Republic of Zimbabwe did not implement the proposed media reforms carried over from the Rhodesian years, which were instead seen as useful for disseminating information approved by the government. The only act to be repealed was the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities of Parliament Act, which had made it illegal for media to report on debates in parliament.[2] In January 1981, the government set up the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust (ZMMT) as part of the government's new media policy, under widespread criticism of the national media, which at the time was inherited from foreign control.[5] It was originally intended to serve as an authority to oversee the transition of the media from white minority control to Zimbabwean society as a whole and to regulate the media.[6] The government emphasised that the media be free, non-partisan, mass-orientated and serve the national interest; however, a growing presence of the Ministry of Information into the media effected its original function.[6]

Despite difficult working conditions for the media, they had contributed to improved governance in Zimbabwe. In 1987, despite threats from the

Willowgate scandal which exposed corruption of the authorities during a shortage of foreign currency in Zimbabwe. It emerged that foreign vehicles were sold at cheaper prices compared to the public which were sold the vehicles at highly inflated prices. Media coverage led to the resignation of six government officials, one of whom later committed suicide.[7] This was followed by further scandals in the 1990s which involved the looting of funds set aside for government projects by government officials, which the media brought to the attention of parliament. The government responded with corrective actions, though not all of the suspects were punished.[7] The looting of diamonds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Zimbabwe National Army on a peacekeeping mission also led to a national investigation.[7]

A decline in popularity of the government in the late 1990s and growing instability saw the emergence of independent newspapers critical of the government, including the Financial Gazette, Daily News and The Standard. The independent press competed with the more dominant state media, particularly the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, which is currently the sole TV and radio broadcaster in the country. The emergence of this new media, along with civic groups and opposition parties, successfully changed government policy from a one-party state to a multi-party system.[2]

1999-present

All news media in the country are careful to reflect the government line when reporting by self-censorship.

SABC news agencies.[10]

After a power sharing deal was agreed by ZANU–PF and the opposition MDC in February 2009, Morgan Tsvangirai announced he was to "democratise" the state media and repeal many strict laws in order for the media to have a more meaningful role in the rebuilding of the country.[11][12][13] The MDC had accused the state media of "gutter journalism" and biased reporting against the party.[14] In April 2009, the coalition government planned to review media restrictions, including the removal of bans for some foreign news agencies and to create a new media commission to issue licences. ZANU–PF Minister of Justice Patrick Chinamasa said there was an "agreement to review the media policy so as to create a political climate where divergent voices will be heard."[15] The media environment is slowly improving in Zimbabwe; on July 28, 2009, Zimbabwean journalists set up a rights body, the Zimbabwe Journalists for Human Rights to defend media freedom in the country[16] and the establishment of a new government body, the Zimbabwe Media Commission to replace the defunct Media and Information Commission.[17] Three papers – the previously banned Daily News, Financial Gazette and NewsDay were to relaunch.[18] A licence was issued to the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ) that publishes Daily News which the government previously banned, was now free to operate.[19] The Daily News newspaper re-appeared again on March 18, 2011, with its first article questioning whether Robert Mugabe should continue to rule at the age of 87.[20]

Relations with foreign media and governments

The Zimbabwean press at times has strained relations with foreign press and governments. Governments from neighbouring countries such as

NBC and Fox News. However, restrictions were lifted in July 2009, meaning the BBC and CNN could again operate in the country, however other aforementioned Western news media organizations are still forbidden to operate.[22] News agencies and newspapers from other Western countries and South Africa have also been banned from the country.[23] Other stations that were allowed into Zimbabwe, such as Al Jazeera
, were told to be "more objective" in their reporting by the Zimbabwean government during the presidential election.

Rising media fees for reporting in the country have also caused condemnation from foreign journalists claiming that

freedom of expression will deteriorate. The Ministry of Information claimed the rising costs were necessary to prevent foreign journalists for "distorting stories".[24]

Newspapers

See also: List of newspapers in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is host to some of the oldest newspapers in Africa; The Herald, Zimbabwe's major newspaper, replaced the Mashonaland and Zambesian Times, which was present from the late 1890s. The Herald, once an influential paper, has seen a decline in readership from 132,000 to between 50,000 and 100,000 in recent years.[25] The influential Daily News, which regularly published criticism of the government, was shut down in 2002, however its director Wilf Mbanga started The Zimbabwean soon after to continue challenging the Mugabe regime.[25] The first daily independent Zimbabwean daily newspaper, following Daily News, NewsDay, started publishing in 2010. Journalists can be fired by the Ministry of Information if content is deemed inappropriate.[1] Other notable Zimbabwean newspapers in print include The Chronicle (Zimbabwe), The Financial Gazette, the Zimbabwe Independent, and the Zimbabwe Daily News.

Newspapers are less readily available in the countryside, where radio is the main source of news.[26]

Television and radio

Since the introduction of TV services in the country in the year 1960, there has only been 1 local free to air television channel, which is owned by the government. In November 2020, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe granted free to air, national commercial TV broadcasting licences to 6 private companies after shortlisting 14 applicants, breaking the national broadcaster's 60 year old TV monopoly. The regulator gave the 6 successful applicants 18 months to begin broadcasting.

TV stations that were awarded licences include the Bulawayo based FairTalk Communications' KeYona TV, ZimPapers Limited's ZTN (Zimpapers Television Network) (now known as ZTN Prime), Rusununguko Media's NRTV (Nkululeko Rusununguko Television), Jester Media's 3K TV (now known as 3Ktv), Acacia Media Group's Kumba TV and Channel Dzimbahwe's Channel D. Unsuccessful applicants include AB Communications' Flex TV, Alpha Media Holdings' HStv, Blackbury Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd's Blackbury TV, Conduit Investments (Pvt) Ltd's Conduit TV Station, Just in Time TV (Pvt) Ltd's JIT TV, Medianet Productions (Pvt) Ltd's Sunrise TV and Meditation Investments (Pvt)'s Zim News Channel.

Satellite stations are received in the country unrestricted, mainly through

UK that criticise the government.[8][9] The vast majority of the media is practically propaganda
, all of it either eulogises Mugabe, features pan-African programming, and heavily spreads anti-British and anti-American sentiment on its TV and radio programming.

There are 16 local radio stations, 6 of those are broadcasting nationally and the other 10 are provincial. The public broadcaster owns 4 national and 2 regional radio stations. In 2012 two national private radio stations, Star FM and ZiFM Stereo were launched. StarFM is owned by the government-controlled Zimpapers. It offers political discussion from a heavily pro-government perspective and an expanded entertainment schedule. ZiFM, owned by ZANU–PF MP Supa Mandiwanzira is more focused on entertainment although it also offers political and social opinion programmes that are heavily weighted towards pro-government positions. The two stations are seen as direct competition to ZBC's youth orientated urban radio station, Power FM.

In 2015, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) granted broadcasting licences to 8 regional radio stations which included Bulawayo's Skyz Metro FM and Harare's Capitalk 100.4 FM, to mention a few. All the 8 radio stations were successfully operational by the end of 2017 despite the tough economic challenges. In 2018, state owned ZBC further added 2 more regional radio stations, Khulumani FM and 95.8 Central Radio in Bulawayo and Gweru respectively.

In the

presidential elections in 2008, the media gave significantly more coverage to the ruling party, ZANU–PF, and rarely showed opposition broadcasts. It was also criticised for inciting violence against the opposition.[28][29]

Internet

Internet use is unrestricted by the government as 10.955% of the population are able to access it, due to high costs. However, this is one of the highest rates of usage in Africa.

internet service providers in Zimbabwe, reflecting the growing usage of the internet.[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Press Freedom Index" Archived 2008-10-22 at the Wayback Machine. Reporters Without Borders.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0821352038
  3. ^ Nelson, Harold. Zimbabwe: A Country Study. pp. 200–218.
  4. ^ a b "Election in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, 1979 - part 1". 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015.
  5. ISBN 978-1856495691
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0415193955
    .
  7. ^ a b c d e World Press Freedom Review 2000. International Press Institute, 2000. Vienna.
  8. ^ a b "BBC Country Profile: Zimbabwe media", BBC News, November 20, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c d e 2009 Map of Press Freedom: Zimbabwe. Freedom House.
  10. ^ Zimbabwe relaxes media restrictions Archived 2009-08-05 at the Wayback Machine. The Post. July 31, 2009.
  11. ^ Tsvangirai to whip state media into line, Zimdaily, February 12, 2009.
  12. ^ Change in Zimbabwe? Archived 2009-02-23 at the Wayback Machine, Morung Express, February 13, 2009.
  13. ^ Prime Minister promises immediate media reform, The Zimbabwean, February 12, 2009.
  14. ^ MDC protests at Herald, ZBC blackout Archived 2009-06-24 at the Wayback Machine. The Zimbabwe Times. June 17, 2009
  15. ^ Zimbabwe plans to relax media restrictions, Associated Press, April 6, 2009
  16. ^ Zimbabwe journalists launch rights body. Zimbabwejournalists.com.
  17. ^ Media commissioners to be named. New Zimbabwe. July 29, 2009.
  18. The Times (South Africa)
    .
  19. ^ Zimbabwe issues licence to banned newspaper. Stabroek News. July 31, 2009.
  20. ^ "Zimbabwe: New paper hits Zim streets". PanaPress. 18 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  21. ^ "Zambia protests over Zim attacks...Incessant blows on President Mwanawasa unjustified"[permanent dead link], Times of Zambia, accessed November 29, 2008.
  22. ^ Plunket, John; Holmwood, Leigh (July 29, 2009). Zimbabwe lifts reporting ban on BBC and CNN after eight years. The Guardian.
  23. ^ Dean, Chris (July 29, 2009). CNN and BBC to Report Again from Zimbabwe. DigitalJournal.com.
  24. ^ Outrage over Zimbabwe media registration fees [permanent dead link], African Press Agency, January 10, 2009.
  25. ^ a b Press Reference: Zimbabwe, accessed November 29, 2008.
  26. ^ Allen, Karen (23 December 2010). "Is Zimbabwe's media really freeing up?". BBC News.
  27. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2019-09-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. ^ Media in Zimbabwe Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, accessed November 29, 2008.
  29. IOL
    ), March 22, 2008, page 12.
  30. ^ Zimbabwe Internet Usage and Marketing Report, Internet World Stats.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook.

CIA
.

Bibliography

  • N.C.G. Mathema: Newspapers in Zimbabwe. Multimedia Publications, Lusaka, 2001.
    ISBN 998230111X

External links
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