Media and healing in Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans have endured various phases of violence and injustices as the country moves along successive stages of the democratic transition. In Kenya's post-2007 violent elections that claimed thousands, media forms such as radio, television, newspapers, and pamphlets played a critical role in conflict prevention, and these have largely been seen as successful peace-building initiatives. The media can bring divided communities together to openly express their concerns on how past atrocities need to be solved, as well as helping such communities rebuild a sense of shared community. In classical social theory, the media provides a space for dialogue where citizens discuss matters affecting their lives, and in the process, opening up spaces for democratisation and nation-building. Instead of de-escalating conflict by toning down on hate speech, Zimbabwean media become co-opted into violence-oriented forms of journalism by regurgitating hate speech and divisive language spread by politicians.