Evolution of digital journalism practices in Zimbabwe post-coup era

This thesis examines the transformation of digital journalism practices in Zimbabwe following the 2017 military-assisted coup. The study highlights how the Interception of Communication Act (ICA) has significantly restricted freedom of expression, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship among journalists. This study utilizes Pierre Bourdieu's concept of the journalistic field as a theoretical framework to investigate how surveillance legislation reshapes journalistic routines, source relationships, and professional autonomy. The empirical basis of the study consists of qualitative in-depth interviews with journalists and civil society actors, particularly from independent media outlets. The findings reveal a growing erosion of investigative journalism, a decline in trust-based networks, and a shift toward guerilla-style reporting. In response, journalists have developed innovative strategies, including the use of encrypted communication, anonymous sourcing, and digital platforms, to circumvent surveillance pressures. This thesis argues that Zimbabwean journalists are not passive recipients of repression but active agents who continue to reshape the field through resilience and adaptation. Ultimately, the study explores both the continuities and ruptures in digital journalism between the Mugabe era and the post-coup ''Second Republic,'' offering insights into how independent journalism resists co-optation in semi-authoritarian regimes. Keywords: Digital journalism, Surveillance, Investigative journalism, (ICA), Media policy