Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Zimbabwean state media continues to drown out opposition

Despite the upcoming elections being staged in a "vastly improved" media environment compared to previous years, the majority of Zimbabweans lack access to plural, independent sources of news, and legal and physical threats to journalists impede their ability to report freely. Independent and international media have questioned the country's readiness to hold an organized election, but the majority of citizens are dependent on strictly controlled state media to provide information.

When Star-FM launched in June 2012, it was the first time in 30 years that Zimbabweans, who have known no other radio besides the state-controlled Radio Zimbabwe, had the chance to call in to a radio station to express their views, indicating a “cautious and carefully controlled liberalization of the airwaves”. The most critical stations are still located beyond Zimbabwe's borders. SW Radio Africa bills itself as the "independent voice of Zimbabwe," but is located in the United Kingdom, while Studio 7 is a division of the Voice of America.


No comments:

Post a Comment