Cybermusic, copyright issues and the democratic ‘deficit’ in Zimbabwe

Abstract

ABSTRACT Human beings are born to struggle in order to create ‘space’ in which to establish their identities and independence through self expression. Computer technology enhances the creation of unrestricted space in which people can air their ideas, opinions and values in contexts of political struggles. E-mail and the Internet have come to symbolise people's struggles mediated through modern communication systems. This article examines how cyberspace has provided an avenue through which music surfed on the Internet can be analysed to recover alternative political voices. In Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union and Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) government has imposed strictures on communication via the Internet in order to stifle people's views on the necessity for a new democratic ethos. However, the government's dictatorial laws have failed to totally prevent people from using the Internet to generate and pass on knowledge that has subverted the oppressive system presided on by ZANU PF since the 1990s. This article suggests that it may be important to view the Internet as a liberating platform where political dissent is to some extent encouraged and tolerated. Zimbabwean music surfed on the Internet can be considered an effective weapon for political dissidence which provided the grammar of conduct for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to negotiate for power-sharing in Zimbabwe.