https://zimbabwe.misa.org The internet is No-Man’s-Land. I mean, I have created my own YouTube account and started posting stuff and people started following me and reposting my stuff, downloading the videos and posting them on other social medial platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. Where is the regulator in that? Because for me, if the national broadcaster cannot be pluralistic, how do we know that the government that controls the national broadcaster will become pluralistic because of digital migration? How many journalists have been arrested or abducted for merely posting vital information on Twitter concerning government shenanigans? They arrested Hopewell Chin’ono twice, didn’t they? 19 Do you think such a government will ever allow access to information and freedom of information just because of the so-called digital migration? 20 However, even though analogue broadcasting has been beleag uered by gover nments’ restrictions on citizens’ right of access to information and freedom of information, there is expectation that digital migration may consequently make SADC governments run out of reasons not to democratise broadcasting space once the requisite advantages of digital migration are in motion. However, there is no evidence that governments will change their tactics just because digital migration has made them run out of reasons for restricting media freedoms. Section 61 (3) of the Zimbabwean Constitution is currently not being enjoyed by Zimbabwean citizens to the extent that even community broadcasting stations are finding it difficult to acquire licences. It is not obvious that once digitalisation occurs such hurdles will disappear. State of Broadcasting and Digital Migration in the Region Zimbabwe Association of Community Radios (ZACRAS) expressed its concerns concerning the hurdles encountered in registering community radios. In a congratulatory statement to the recently appointed board of the Broadcasting Regulatory Authority, ZACRAS expressed how it looks forward to an environment in which restrictions are done away with. The fact that ZACRAS indicated that the licensing of community radios is a longstanding dream that should be fulfilled in a non-partisan and non-discriminatory manner means that all along the process may have been partisan and discriminatory leading to it being an unfulfilled dream. The setting up of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board, just like digital migration, does not necessarily mean that this partisan and discriminatory approach will end. 21 Digital migration will lead to more TV channels, thus widening the public sphere. While this is true, studies have shown that the public sphere is elitist: certain voices have more hegemony over others. The media has widely been used to disseminate elitist information and influence the formation, expression and consumption of public opinion. The role of gatekeepers and tastemakers become clear here. The public sphere is therefore not a level field. This sentiment was echoed by a final year media student from Zimbabwe who observed that: While digitalisation may also widen the public sphere, enabling people to discuss the issues of concern and leading to the formation of a public opinion, not everyone is going to have access to the public sphere as it appears to be elitist.22 19The investigative journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, was arrested on trumped-up charges and incarcerated twice. 20Semi-structured interview with Zimbabwean content creator, held on 14/12/2020. 21The board comprises Ambassador Bornface Guwa Chidyausiku, Tendai Karonga, V-MakamureNduna, Vimbai Nyakudya, Chief Mabikwa, Oliver Mandipaka, Rodney Mazeyewe, Victoria Spiwe Mamvura, Jonathan Mapinda, Audrey Chihota and Jennifer Chakanyuka. 22Semi-structured interview with a final year Media and Journalism student from a Zimbabwean University. 27