Zimbabwe media guide
- Published
A newspaper seller in Harare on 7 September 2019, following the death of former president Robert Mugabe
All broadcasters transmitting from Zimbabwean soil, and many of the main newspapers, toe the government line.
The main pro-government dailies, the Harare-based Herald and the Bulawayo-based Chronicle, are tightly controlled by the Information Ministry. The private press, which is relatively vigorous in its criticism of the government, has come under severe pressure.
Newspaper cover prices are beyond the reach of many readers and publishers have been hit by escalating costs.
Draconian laws
Draconian laws and institutions, along with prison sentences for "publishing false news", are used to clamp down on critical comment. Journalists who fail to register with a government body risk imprisonment.
Radio is the main source of information. State-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) operates two TV networks and four radio stations. Two national private FM radio stations are licensed.
There were 8.4 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 55% of the population (Internetworldstats.com). US-based Freedom House says the internet is nominally free from government interference. However, the medium is relatively expensive and prone to disruption because of power cuts.
Press
The Herald, external - government-owned daily
The Chronicle, external - Bulawayo-based, government-owned daily
The Sunday Mail, external - government-owned weekly
NewsDay, external - private daily
The Financial Gazette, external - private, business weekly
The Standard, external - private, weekly
Zimbabwe Independent, external - private weekly
The Zimbabwean, external - private weekly, published from UK and South Africa
Television
Radio
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), external - state-run, operates National FM, Power FM, Radio Zimbabwe and S-FM
Star FM, external - operated by Zimpapers, publisher of government-owned The Herald
ZiFM, external - operated by AB Communications
Online
Daily News, external - privately-owned, based in Harare
New Zimbabwe, external - privately-owned, London-based
Studio 7, external - run by US government-backed Voice of America