Journalism in Zimbabwe is fully controlled and restricted not principally with their legislation, but because of their despot regime. People feel fear and are under control of their ruler because he (Robert Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe) rules by fear with his power. People in Zimbabwe do not have the freedom to criticize or discuss issues about their government. For example, opening phone lines speak back radio are not allowed and completely restricted even if the topic is not intensely against the government (ABC radio 2007).
For the media, the journalists can only report news that is not against their government. They can be arrested, physically intimidated, or forced to exile if the content of the news is found to be offensive. Many Zimbabwean journalists try their very best to get news in and out of their country. They try various ways just to let their people know what is happening in Zimbabwe. One of the ways to reveal news to their people is by using text messages. Only 160 characters are allowed in one text message which consists of a headline and a brief story. These texts are sent to the peoples’ mobiles everyday. This phenomenon is getting more and more popular (ABC radio 2007).
There is an internet website called ZimOnline <http://www.zimonline.co.za/> which is another source of information for the Zimbabweans. It is also a medium for the Zimbabwean people discuss about issues that are not reported in the national media. Some people will print and make copies of the stories they receive online. They circulate these copies in order to let others to know too (ABC radio 2007).
<http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediarepot/stories/2007/1882324.htm>
For the media, the journalists can only report news that is not against their government. They can be arrested, physically intimidated, or forced to exile if the content of the news is found to be offensive. Many Zimbabwean journalists try their very best to get news in and out of their country. They try various ways just to let their people know what is happening in Zimbabwe. One of the ways to reveal news to their people is by using text messages. Only 160 characters are allowed in one text message which consists of a headline and a brief story. These texts are sent to the peoples’ mobiles everyday. This phenomenon is getting more and more popular (ABC radio 2007).
There is an internet website called ZimOnline <http://www.zimonline.co.za/> which is another source of information for the Zimbabweans. It is also a medium for the Zimbabwean people discuss about issues that are not reported in the national media. Some people will print and make copies of the stories they receive online. They circulate these copies in order to let others to know too (ABC radio 2007).
<http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediarepot/stories/2007/1882324.htm>
What does freedom of speech or press freedom mean to the Zimbabweans?
People from Zimbabwe do not have the right to speak freely and the term ‘press freedom’ does not appear in their community. Their government only provides what they want the people to know rather than what the people want and need to know. In addition, most of the media are government-owned. With such a ruling environment, the people only get all the positive information about their government and think how their government wants them to think. Outside information is very limited and what they know is limited too. If they have any comments, they have got no place to express them or even to discuss them because it is not acceptable in this society.
As an outsider, we perceive that Zimbabwe is lacking freedom of speech and press freedom; however, some of the people (Zimbabweans and people from other countries) see it as normal. They do not perceive this as a big issue to this country and some Zimbabweans feel comfortable with the Mugabe’s regime. They see nothing wrong with it.
There is an interesting opinion site of how people see press freedom in Zimbabwe. Most of people who post opinions are Zimbabweans but they have different opinions on the journalism in Zimbabwe.<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/debates/african_debates/1182043.stm>
References
The news from and to Zimbabwe 2007, ABC Radio, viewed 19 April 2007, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediarepot/stories/2007/1882324.htm>
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