The Internet as Public Sphere: A Zimbabwean Case Study (1999-2008)

The appearance of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) onZimbabwe’s political landscape in 1999 and the publication of independentnewspapers provided Zimbabweans with alternative public spheres to thegovernment controlled media. Through these counter-publics Zimbabweansarticulated their protests against the deteriorating economic and politicalsituation in the country. However, legislations like the Access to Informationand Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Public Order and Security Act(POSA) have since 2002 enabled the government to exert a stranglehold overthe free flow of information. This has subsequently forced Zimbabweans toresort to the Internet to articulate their political views without fear of reprisalsfrom the state. This paper addresses the key features, problems, and prospects of this cyber public sphere