02.19.2010 at 1:12 pm | Have your say »

How Zim citizens became reporters during 2008 presidential elections

Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe: Photo by Candlemaker/Flickr.com (CC)

The post election period induced different emotions in the country, which included hope, unease, frustration and helplessness. The slow trickling of the election results resulted in outright anger, as people were eager to know the person who had won the election.

But since the election results were posted outside polling stations they became public information and people in various polling stations and constituencies were able to collect them and predict the winner.

Citizens used mobiles to exchange information during this period of political tension and celebrations began in most constituencies.

Citizens helping  mainstream media

Citizen journalism contributed a great deal to the circulation of public opinions, and to some extent influenced the way mainstream media covered this post-election period.

By adding voice to the coverage from mainstream media, this parallel market of information contributed to the further exposure of Robert Mugabe regime’s evil ways, thereby stopping the potential plan of rigging that election.

Post election violence

An oppositon supporter fighting for his life in hospital after being beaten by Mugabe's supporter:Photo by Sokwanele-Zimbabwe/flickr.com (CC)

In addition to the delay in the release of presidential results, incidence of post–election violence increased and became more pronounced in rural areas especially in provinces such as Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Manicaland.
Many people from these provinces came with their stories to the media and the whole world was able to see the situation on the ground.

Pictures of people beaten and tortured by Mugabe’s militia circulated thorough mobiles and internet.

During the run-off election period, Mugabe’s government started harassing the press. Many journalists were arrested and charged without basis.

State radio and newspapers were filled with pro-Mugabe propaganda.

But despite the crackdown, citizens played a major role by providing first hand and real accounts of the reality situation on the ground.

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