Diasporic media and the appropriation of technologies: the case of Nehanda Radio and Zimbabwean politics

Abstract

This chapter looks at how Zimbabwe’s diasporic media has appropriated social media for its news production, dissemination and sustainability purposes. Diasporic media here refers to media organisations established and run by Zimbabweans living outside Zimbabwe. Most of these Zimbabweans are former journalists who fled the country due to the constricted democratic space. These diasporic news media organisations cover issues about Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans in the diaspora. A secondary interest advanced in this study is the normative role played by diasporic media in mediating Zimbabwe’s complex political environment. The study addresses three critical questions. First, how is diaspora media employing social media for its news value chain? Second, what can be derived from the content of the selected case in determining the normative role of the diasporic media? And third, to what extent is the business model of diaspora media sustainable. In order to understand the phenomenon of the diasporic media, we analyse Nehanda Radio through a qualitative study that investigates the relationship between social media and diasporic media outlets. Nehanda Radio prides itself as a Zimbabwean radio station that provides 24-hour running news on their website and during broadcasts. It also claims to provide breaking news as it happens via its popular e-mail alert system which listeners and readers can subscribe to. Methodologically, we rely on desktop study. Theoretically, we use a combination of agenda setting and the political economy.