HARARE – Former opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has strongly criticized Zimbabwe’s recently launched Media and Communications Policy, labeling it a “damp squib” and a “new deception” that fails to address the fundamental issues plaguing the country’s media sector.
His comments come as President Emmerson Mnangagwa issued a stern warning to journalists, stating that content deemed harmful to the country would not be tolerated and would be met with legal action.
In a scathing assessment, Chamisa argued that the real crisis in Zimbabwean media is not a lack of policy, but rather the “continued criminalization of journalism.”
He asserted that the new policy, launched under the theme “Promoting media excellence and diversity for national development,” merely “tightens the administration’s grip on the media” instead of fostering investment and innovation.
“THE NEW MEDIA POLICY A DAMP SQUIB…The recently launched media policy by the Zanu PF administration is yet another hollow gesture,” Chamisa stated.
“Let’s be clear: the real crisis in Zimbabwe’s media sector is not a lack of policy, but the continued criminalisation of journalism. No amount of lipstick will beautify a frog.
“Instead of opening space for investment and innovation, this policy tightens the administration’s grip on the media.
“True reform would have meant breaking the monopoly, not entrenching it; promoting local investment, not stifling it.”
Chamisa argued that a “real media policy would empower journalists, not threaten them with deregistration under vague “rules and standards” designed to muzzle dissent.
It would promote self-regulation, as we see in other respected professions. It would transform ZBC and Zimpapers into genuine public service platforms, not echo chambers of outdated propaganda.”
He also dismissed the proposed Media Fund as a burden on struggling media houses, highlighting that journalists are earning “peanuts” due to collapsing revenues in a hostile environment, not poor work ethic.
He further called for a “complete overhaul” to decriminalise journalism, dismantle media capture, and enable the industry to thrive as a job-creating and economy-boosting sector.
Meanwhile, speaking at the policy launch, Mnangagwa issued a stark warning to media practitioners.
“Anything besides this, chibhakera muziso (we punch you in the eye),” he declared. The Zanu-PF warned that “content that harms our country and fellow citizens has no place in our constitutional democracy under my watch.”
He stated that the law and justice system would “take its course” on those who infringe on the rights of others on media platforms, adding that the media under his leadership would “continue to be our cornerstone for promoting unity, peace, social cohesion, harmony and the love for our country.”
Mnangagwa’s remarks follow the recent granting of bail to Alpha Media Holdings senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga, after 72 days in detention.
Mhlanga was arrested on February 24 and charged with ‘transmitting data messages that incite violence or damage to property’ after interviewing a former senior Zanu-PF member Blessed Geza who had criticised Mnangagwa.
Geza, a former Zanu-PF Central Committee member, has been calling for the resignation of Mnangagwa citing corruption and incompetence.
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