Towards media democracy: An examination of media policy reform activism and its impact on Zimbabwean media policy reform process

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, media activists have used several strategies to prise open the media space. The emergence of media policy reform activism (MPRA) in the last decade of the twentieth century in Zimbabwe has transformed media policies in several ways. However, the strategies of activism and the extent to which these strategies have influenced media policy transformation have not been adequately researched. Thus, using in-depth interviews with some MPRA under the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), the government, other media policy stakeholders and documentary analysis, this study examines the strategies used to impact media policy reforms and the extent to which the strategies have influenced the policy reform process. The study established that media reform activists in Zimbabwe use numerous strategies to open media systems. Nonetheless, there is a standoff between MAZ and the state over several issues which include but are not limited to the source of funding and ideologies.