In Zimbabwe, there is a disconnect between the constitutional provision which guarantees freedom of expression and what transpires on the ground.
Section 61 of the Zimbabwean constitution guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
This means that content creation, in all its forms is made sacred by the law, however recent events have shown that authorities still have an appetite to clamp down on those who proffer opinions that are critical of the establishment.
Zimbabwe`s media landscape has not changed despite promises of reform by the so-called second republic.
According to the Reporters Sans Frontiers World Press Freedom Index, Zimbabwe now ranks at number 130, the worst it has achieved since 2015.
The effects have been felt by those who are actively working in the country`s information sector.
Mlondolozi Ndlovu, a freelance journalist in Harare, who in 2017 refused to testify in court as a state witness after a source he had used in a story had been arrested, explained the dynamics that affect journalistic work in Zimbabwe.
The Young Journalists Association President, explained the circumstances that he and other young journalists have had to face in their line of work.
There are a number of economic and operational challenges.
“The Zimbabwean media industry is not a bed of roses for a freelance journalist. For starters, the economic situation does not allow one to operate freely as basic expenses like data are hard to meet,” he said.
Politicians in Zimbabwe across the board are allergic to scrutiny, they either evade media or threaten it, unless they come from state controlled publications.
“The political situation makes it very difficult for one to get comments from ruling party officials who tend to be sceptical about our work as independent journalists.
Most live in fear of the state as they cannot publish information that is critical of those in power without fear of arrests or intimidation,” added Ndlovu.
The reality is not limited only to writers and journalists, even other content creators feel the tension of a skewed operating environment.
Hip Hop artist Noble Stylz, whose songs sometimes ask questions of the establishment said though he knows the possible consequences, his expression takes precedence.
“I am a slave to the art first, the craft takes precedence over any environment. The environment only affects you after the art, art is the primary product so I don’t let the thoughts of what might happen positively or negatively affect the art because the point is to document my convictions for people to listen, learn, critic and so forth,” he said.
Those around him, including friends and family have sometimes raised concern over his no holds barred commentary.
He however insists that his art is in good faith and that should absolve him of any suspicion of malice.
“I think because I create with no tainted motive so whenever I have been asked to explain my content on or off record I have managed to get my word across to them as pristine as the music I make. The consistency I believe has been key and I aim to stay true to the craft,” said Noble Stylz.
For a country that promised to reform in 2017, Zimbabwe is not doing too well in upholding freedoms for content creators.
According to watchdogs like the Media Institute of Southern Africa, promises to improve the operating environment for journalists have been vacuous.
Up to now, practitioners are still being arrested for their content.
One of the most arrested journalists in the country, Hopewell Chin`ono at one time found himself spending time in prison over tweets.
Says a lot about the present environment.