The realisation of media freedom as a tool to combat corruption in Zimbabwe: Lessons from South Africa
 

Authors:

W Nortje and E Chikodza
 

Summary:

Corruption is rife in South Africa and Zimbabwe. While the media has been playing, and continues to play a significant role in the fight against corruption in South Africa, Zimbabwe has a different outlook. While corruption in Zimbabwe is even worse than in South Africa, the media does not have the similar freedom to expose corruption. There exists a constant fear of retaliation for blowing the whistle on corrupt activities. It is common for journalists to be detained for speaking out. Media laws should be adopted to affirm media freedom. Instead, they have often been adopted, especially in Zimbabwe, to demonise the media. The article makes an important contribution towards the protection of media freedom in light of strengthening anti-corruption efforts in South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is one of the first studies to examine the achievements and shortcomings of media freedom in relation to corruption in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Based on desk research, the article examines the conceptual aspects regarding corruption and the role of the media, and the regulatory framework governing the rights of media in both jurisdictions. Following that, the article discusses several case studies amplifying the problems faced by the media in Zimbabwe and highlights and analyses the lessons Zimbabwe can learn from South Africa's approach to media freedom.

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