Zim media, faithful mirror image of its colonial forerunner

Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980. Before we attained Uhuru the white regime or elites in the economic sector sympathetic to it controlled all the means of mental production including the media. Media played an hegemonic role in upholding a philosophy of white supremacy and the subjugation of the black majority at that time. Come 1980 the current ruling regime took it as it was with a few cosmetic adjustments to it. In present day Zimbabwe 27 years after independence and ‘majority rule’ the media remains an instrument of alienation of the vast majority black population still living in the margins.

In our country a lot of the issues such as the current economic condition is normalized such that readers, listeners and viewers continue to see it as normal. The seriousness of the issues is not brought up for public debate. Each time the Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono addresses the nation the media is upbeat about it as ‘the’ solution to the prevailing socio-economic crisis when in actual fact people continue to suffer. Very little space is given to dissenting views. The introduction of bearer cheques in 2004, operation sunrise and the striking down of zeroes, and now the social contract, all are welcomed and praised as if final panacea to our problems. But there is very little to show for it except the spiralling four digit inflation.
The media continue to be tools for mental domination better still a propaganda tool whereby those with political and economic power promote and legitimate their interests.
On TV programmes such as Murimi wanhasi, Face the Nation provide restricted forum where like-minded supporters of the ruling party take turns and compete to hip praises on the national leadership and its policies, one supposes for their ‘undertaker’ role over this declining economy. This means the ideas of the ruling elite dominate even today years after colonization. Even where the so called Private Press is supposed to provide a counter to rulling party monologues it does so from an ultra elitist view point often unrepresentative of the marjority marginalised groups. They represent capital and speak on its behalf. The same techniques used by the oppressive colonial regime continue to be used. Thus, it is my contention that the media still needs to be liberated in Zimbabwe today if it is to serve the true interests and aspirations of the majority, For example talk about something as basic as availability and access to so called mainstream media whether print or electronic less than 30% of the population is reached by either newspapers or radio or TV signals from Pockets Hill, the rest must fend for themselves by listening to TV and radio stations in neighbouring countries like South Africa, Botswana, Zambia etc. Talk of defending of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Where are we getting it all wrong fellow Zimbabweans?

By Gamuchirai Mudimu, Bsc Media and Society Studies, (Level 2 semester2) - MSU