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Basing on reported experiences of trainee journalists at the University of Zimbabwe on completing their work-related industrial internship, we give unique perspectives into challenges and contradictions of "becoming" a journalist. We argue that the route to becoming a professional journalist involves imbibing a kaleidoscope of largely (Western) values along the way throughout the value chain of different socializing sites such as the university, the newsroom and broader subjective social experience. The study concludes that journalism training in Zimbabwe—and indeed in Africa—is firmly informed by the dominant liberal press theory, a development that is at variance with social, political and economic realities obtaining in a country that has not fully embraced the principles of democracy to the letter and spirit of its classical dictates. While scholars have tangentially inserted African texts into the curriculum, these are texts that are made to fit into extant conceptual schema that invariably also shape practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study of the uses of mobile phones by Zimbabwean youths engaged in unregulated informal trading in Central Harare shows that mobiles create socio-culturally embedded virtual and non-virtual 'markets'. The study describes the novel and creative appropriations of mobile phones as informal traders navigate small-scale business opportunities. The theory of social networks and collective action was used to shed a light on how mobile phones help informal traders to create functional networks and virtual infrastructures through which reciprocal and mutual relations are established without the need for face-to-face contacts. The study demonstrates that these mobile virtual infrastructures not only create closely knit communities resembling traditional African 'collective cultures' but also help informal traders to access micro-credit, market intelligence among peers and mobile payments integrated with traditional banking platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group of Zimbabwean bloggers formed a voluntary association (the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators-ZOCC) aimed at protecting the credibility of their online content against fake news by producing factual content. Like the media elsewhere in the world, Zimbabwean media have been influenced by the phenomenon of "post-truth", a term relating to the rise of an era in which emotions rather than facts seem to sway public opinion, and where populism overshadows basic principles of reason and veracity. Qualitative interviews with members of this Association sought to understand the value of membership of this group in reducing the circulation of disinformation and misleading content. Firstly, results show that to some extent the Association inculcated a sense of identity and belonging which bind members' commitment to the group's core values such as being balanced, independent, truthful, accurate and responsible. Mainstream media organisations, bloggers, vloggers and animators can use the power of their professional identity to coalesce as a buffer against fake news. However, this study noted that as the group is voluntary-based, it lacks authority and disciplinary power to enforce compliance with group norms, thereby running the risk that some members can violate the same values with impunity. Secondly, in Zimbabwe, there are strong relationships between the type of falsified and misleading news and the sociopolitical and economic context. Information might be published for its "feel good" effect (at the expense of its credibility and accuracy) in a context where democracy and economic prosperity are illusory to many. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]