https://zimbabwe.misa.org State of Broadcasting and Digital Migration in the Region Methodology This was a qualitative paper informed by an exploratory research design that was meant to unearth various sentiments concerning implications of and the interrelationship between digital television broadcasting migration and the exercise of the right of access to information and freedom of information in Zimbabwe and the SADC region. The study purposively and conveniently sampled 10 respondents who are in the media fraternity for semi-structured interviews. These included personnel from non-governmental and governmental media organisations from SADC countries in general and Zimbabwe in particular, media and journalism lecturers, former and existing editors in media houses, students, and academics. Documents were also accessed from the websites of various media organisations. In line with COVID-19 safety guidelines, the semi-structured interviews were carried out on various communication platforms which included e-mails, WhatsApp, Zoom and telephone calls. Where possible, some of the respondents were physically visited but the guidelines of physical distancing and wearing of masks were strictly adhered to. Discussion of Findings. The issue of regulatory authorities was cited in one interview. The concern was that migrating to digital in an environment where analogue frequencies were not opened up because of the need to control citizens’ access to and freedom of information will not mean that governments would abandon such a default setting. According to the statement of one respondent, Generally, digital migration was expected to open up more frequencies for radio and TV licenses. It was assumed (perhaps erroneously) that this will lead to increased freedom of expression. But that postulation is flawed because regulatory authorities in SADC countries still decide who gets the license and when and where they can go on air. So theoretically, yes, digital migration opens up spaces for increased freedom of expression but in practice, freedom of expression is curtailed by several legacy and policy impediments. 15 From the statement above, it is feared that many SADC governments’ regulatory policies and behaviours in the analogue era have shunned a multiplicity of broadcasters with state-owned entities playing lord over frequencies and information. There is therefore no direct link between digital migration and governments abandoning such a tight control (for hegemonic purposes) of the broadcasting industry. In fact, it is not just in the multiplicity of TV stations that we see respect of access to information and freedom of information; it is also in the programming that happens on that one TV station. Does the national broadcaster represent multiple interests? Is impartiality represented in broadcasting regulations? If so, is it enforced? Such a concern is echoed by Hills who observes that, … It is possible for governments to legislate in such a way that the edicts of ‘accuracy and impartiality’ come to mean that no opposition or criticism of government can be aired. In six Southern African Development Community countries, there are surviving colonial laws preventing 15 Semi-structured interview with a media practitioner from Namibia held on 14/12/2020. 25