The Re-Emergence of Diasporic Radio in Independent Zimbabwe

Abstract

This Article Contributes To The Debate On The Re-Emergence Of Diasporic Radio And Its Role In Facilitating Citizen Journalism And Political Awareness In Zimbabwe. The Article Uses Short Wave Radio Africa And Other Diasporic Radio Stations Domiciled Outside Zimbabwe To Examine How Diasporic Radio Has Re-Emerged In Independent Zimbabwe, Where It Manages To Utilise Affordable Communication Technologies To Link With The Population, Providing The People With An Alternative Public Sphere On Which To Articulate Their Views And Engage In Democratic Debate. Within A Restrictive Environment, The People Produce Their Social World Through Thought Processes And Ideas As They Establish Social, Political And Economic Relations With One Another To Influence Their Circumstances. Despite The Government's Control Of The Media, An Oppositional Communicative Space Has Been Created By A Small Number Of Poorly Resourced Social Players Who Are Set On Giving The Masses Alternative Discursive Platforms.