In a big change that might affect the independence of Zimbabwe’s state media, Charles Mungasa, a key figure in the Zanu PF Youth League, is now the acting chief executive of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). This shows the strong political control within an organization that should ideally be an unbiased public broadcaster.

Charles Mungasa is not new to ZBC. He was a board member before this role. He is also the Zanu PF Masvingo provincial Youth League secretary for administration. The ZBC board is headed by Helliate Rushwaya, who is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s niece, showing more Zanu PF influence.

Mungasa takes over from Assael Machakata, the former finance director of ZBC. Machakata was an interim replacement after Adelaide Chikunguru’s suspension and resignation. This constant change in leadership shows a worrying trend of media capture, where governments or powerful groups control media to serve their own goals, hurting journalistic independence.

Media capture happens in many ways, such as regulatory control, politicizing media operations, and using public advertising funds to influence media coverage. In Zimbabwe, this also includes political ownership of private media outlets, which is becoming more common.

At ZBC, this problem is clear. The way the leadership is chosen and how editorial decisions are made show political influence rather than journalistic values. This capture has serious consequences. Journalism should serve the public by providing unbiased news that informs and empowers people. But when media becomes a tool for political parties, it fails this mission. The loss of journalistic independence weakens the media’s role as a watchdog and reduces the quality of information the public gets.

For Zimbabwe, where media freedom is already limited, having political figures in charge of the national broadcaster could make things worse. In a country where access to independent information is crucial for democracy, this is very concerning.

With Charles Mungasa leading ZBC, the chances for impartiality look bad. This situation highlights the fragile state of press freedom in Zimbabwe. It raises questions about governance and democracy when media is seen as a political tool instead of a source of truth.

The ongoing political control of ZBC not only damages the broadcaster’s credibility but also shows how vulnerable state media is to manipulation. As the line between government interests and journalistic integrity blurs, the hope for a truly independent public broadcaster in Zimbabwe remains uncertain. The situation at ZBC shows how media capture can weaken journalism, leaving a broken institution unable to fulfill its important role in society.

In conclusion, Charles Mungasa’s appointment as the acting chief executive of ZBC is a clear sign of Zanu PF’s deepening control over the state media. This development is a reminder of the ongoing challenges to press freedom in Zimbabwe. As political influence continues to shape the media landscape, the fight for an independent and unbiased public broadcaster in Zimbabwe faces significant hurdles. The need for diverse and independent sources of information is more important than ever for the health of democracy and good governance in the country.