https://zimbabwe.misa.org

may lead to the enjoyment of citizens’ rights of
access to information and freedom of information
in the following ways:
1. A wider reach to unserved areas;
2. Diverse content delivered to the
public;
3. Establishment of pluralism by
building an equitable, just, and
people-centred information society
(hosting more channels that will
offer audiences a vast selection of
content).
4. Provision of users with ways of
becoming more directly involved
in politics and contributing to social
change
5. The possibility of more channels
wh ic h c a n i nc lude t hose i n
vernacular language.26
The fifth observation points to existing violations
of indigenous minorities’ rights of access to
information and freedom of information
with English, Shona and Ndebele dominating
broadcasting languages and the other languages
being entertained in rare moments like fiveminute news bulletins. Digital migration will
potentially create possibilities of all languages
that are recognised in the constitution of
Zimbabwe being catered for.
The observation above resonates with concerns
for those with disabilities or the differentlyabled who may fail to access information and
enjoy freedom of information because of the
restrictions forced on them by their disabilities.
Another respondent, who is a journalist with a
local daily, said that SADC governments must
come to the realisation that there are more

State of Broadcasting and
Digital Migration in the Region

benefits to be accrued from people having
information than not having it. In the case
of Zimbabwe, plurality can actually work in
Government’s favour, especially now that the
government wants to rally people behind its
VISION 2030:
Digitisation and access to information are also
critical in fostering development in the SADC
region. The idea of the role of access to information
can be reflected in the established SABA news
which among other things was meant to utilise
the media in promoting development. Now
Africa has vision 2063 and here in Zimbabwe,
the government set vision 2030, Transitional
Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which will
expire by 31 December 2020 and succeeded by
the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1)
2021-2025. Digitisation and access to information
will assist in ensuring that people have access
to information which may make them fully
understand these blueprints and support them
in order for targeted results to be realised.
However, this rests on whether SADC governments
in general, and the Zimbabwean government
in particular, trust plurality over repression,
especially in a scenario where repression has
hitherto proved to be effective in maintaining
and strengthening repressive hegemonies.
The conclusion of this paper is that digital
migration has perceived benefits in the context
of the rights of access to information and freedom
of information. The plurality that such a move
promises can potentially enhance citizens’
enjoyment of the right to information and
freedom of information. However, all of this
depends on whether there is a link between
digital migration and SADC governments
migrating from repressive broadcasting policies
that limit people’s access to information and

26Semi-structured interview with a journalism lecturer at a local polytechnic.

29

Select target paragraph3