https://zimbabwe.misa.org • Strategies for Internet Technology and Digital Rights Reporting self-censorship is reportedly common. In Mozambique56, • journalists frequently experience government pressure, harassment, and intimidation, which encourages self-censorship • the government is known to retaliate against journalists who criticize it by cancelling public advertising contracts • journalists and political commentators appearing on television programs have been the targets of attacks and kidnappings in recent years. Since 57many governments are taking steps that undermine internet access and affordability, they weaken the potential of digital technologies to catalyse free expression and civic participation or to drive innovation. Journalists and media practitioners who step up to cover internet and technology issues particularly digital rights, can easily become targets. According to the 2019 Digital Rights in Africa Report, there were three major themes dominating discussions across the continent, • continued Internet shutdowns • attacks on press freedom • pushback against digital rights abuses. The pushback has been mainly driven by civil society organisations and activists who ‘have borne a disproportionate burden of the required work in the context of what ought to be a multi-stakeholder effort’ 58 . Given that ‘the media do not operate in isolation of other institutions in society59’ it is time for media players in the region to consider collaborating on driving internet and technology as well as digital rights advocacy. Thus far, citizens in Southern Africa have been gradually fighting for themselves – without limited or no media influence – to push for more internet freedom within their respective countries. 56Freedom in the World 2020, Mozambique https://freedomhouse.org/country/mozambique/freedom-world/2020 [Accessed 17 September 2020] 57See, CIPESA reports for 2018 and 2019 58See ‘Digital rights in Africa Report 2019’, published by Paradigm Initiative https://paradigmhq.org/dra2019/ [Accessed on 16 September 2020] 59Muneri, C. T. (2019). Prospects for Data Journalism in Zimbabwe: Challenges of Engendering a Democratic Society and an Informed Citizenry in the Digital Age. In Data Journalism in the Global South (pp. 39-52). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. 25