Abstract

This article reports on a study that focused on the radio broadcasting and licensing scene in Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2020. The study interrogated the sincerity of the Zimbabwean government in advancing both media pluralism and diversity. Opposition political parties and civic organisations pressured Zimbabwe into adopting a liberal approach that they hoped would widen the political and media space. The study examined how the government has taken and implemented such a liberal approach. Drawing on the competitive authoritarianism concept, the study argued that the cosmetic application of contested and undemocratic media laws that pretended to be democratising the media was indeed gagging democracy. This is called a pseudo-progressive stance. The study gathered data using qualitative interviews with three media activists, three policymakers, two media professionals, and two media scholars in Zimbabwe. In total, 10 qualitative key informant in-depth interviews were carried out. The analysis revealed a silhouette of grandiose but empty media laws that have continued to impede democracy in Zimbabwe. Therefore, the study concluded that the monopoly of media influence and concentration of broadcasting media ownership within the ruling party is dire and not conducive to the development of diverse and creative content for the nation. Thus, collaborative efforts are needed for real change to be achieved in the broadcasting media in Zimbabwe.

摘要

本文报告了一项针对 2000 年至 2020 年津巴布韦广播和许可场景的研究。该研究询问了津巴布韦政府在促进媒体多元化和多样性方面的诚意。反对党和民间组织迫使津巴布韦采取自由主义的方式，希望借此拓宽政治和媒体空间。该研究调查了政府如何采取和实施这种自由主义的方法。该研究借鉴了竞争性威权主义的概念，认为假装使媒体民主化的有争议和不民主的媒体法的表面应用确实是在扼杀民主。这被称为伪进步立场。该研究通过对三位媒体活动家、三位政策制定者、津巴布韦的两名媒体专业人士和两名媒体学者。共进行了 10 次定性关键知情人深度访谈。分析揭示了继续阻碍津巴布韦民主的宏伟但空洞的媒体法的轮廓。因此，该研究得出的结论是，执政党内媒体影响力的垄断和广播媒体所有权的集中是可怕的，不利于国家多元化和创造性内容的发展。因此，要在津巴布韦的广播媒体中实现真正的变革，需要合作努力。因此，该研究得出的结论是，执政党内媒体影响力的垄断和广播媒体所有权的集中是可怕的，不利于国家多元化和创造性内容的发展。因此，要在津巴布韦的广播媒体中实现真正的变革，需要合作努力。因此，该研究得出的结论是，执政党内媒体影响力的垄断和广播媒体所有权的集中是可怕的，不利于国家多元化和创造性内容的发展。因此，要在津巴布韦的广播媒体中实现真正的变革，需要合作努力。