https://zimbabwe.misa.org • an open , democratic and accountable nation • a moral and tolerant nation • a united and proud nation • raised inspiration • broadened national political and policy dialogue and cohesion • help change strong held attitudes and values • widen horizons for citizens • enforce social norms State of Broadcasting and Digital Migration in the Region Access to information is a basic human right and freedom of information is contained in the Freedom of Information Bill that was passed by the Zimbabwean Parliament as a way of repealing the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act [Chapter 10:27]. Digital migration is therefore seen as aiding the fulfilment of the rights of Access to Information and Freedom of Information, at least in theory. What remains to be seen is whether in practice, even after migrating, the rights and freedoms will be upheld. In order to establish that, interviews and conversations were held with purposively sampled key informants in the media sector who included representatives of media organisations, journalists, media lecturers, media students and those who work in broadcasting. Websites of the Government of Zimbabwe, media organisations and SADC were also visited in order to get more information on television digital broadcasting migration and the intended outcomes in terms of access to information and freedom of information. The migration to digital is not an overnight process. It is a lengthy one involving signal distributors, regulators, governments and people (consumers). As far as consumers are concerned, almost all television sets in Zimbabwe are still analogue receivers and consumers may not have the means to purchase digitally relevant ones. This may pause problems when it comes to the right of access to information because there is a barrier in terms of how that information is accessed and millions will be left out. It is also apparent that the pressure to go digital in Africa has connections to European interests and may have little or nothing to do with the African market itself. Freeing up airwaves in Africa is not demand-led. Thus, the first problem of access to information and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe in particular, is the lack of awareness by the consumer on what digital migration is and the place of the consumer in that process. This may mean that digitalisation is coming to many African countries in which access to information and freedom of information are not given. The question therefore is that besides the technical aspect of frequencies and bandwidths, what exactly is the problem that digital migration is trying to solve? Access to information? Freedom of information? This has led some to conclude that, “in many ways, digital migration – especially in regard to analogue radio in 23