The Unfreedom Monitor's report on Speech, part of a Global Voices Advox research initiative, examines the use of digital authoritarianism to constrain free speech, with a focus on Rwanda. The Rwandan government employs repressive laws, surveillance technology, and state-led crackdowns to silence dissent, leading to a culture of self-censorship. The government has been implicated in using Israeli NSO's Pegasus spyware to monitor political opponents, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, allegations it denies. The report underscores the importance of privacy and data protection online, as surveillance practices hinder journalists' and activists' freedom of expression.

Digital technology significantly contributes to the propagation of propaganda and disinformation, leveraging its vast platform to reach a wide audience and potentially threatening free expression in Zimbabwe.

In Masvingo, Zimbabwe, women and children, including the likes of Thelma Murambiwa and a 14-year-old boy named Alex, are illegally panning for gold in the Bhuka mountains to survive amidst a dire economic situation. Despite the risks of collapsing pits, arrest, and health hazards, the allure of gold and the necessity to provide for their families drive them to continue. The government-owned Fidelity Printers and Refiners reported an increase in gold output, but many miners lack permits and sophisticated equipment, leading to a thriving black market and environmental degradation. The National Aids Council highlighted the rise in HIV/AIDS and sexual exploitation in these mining communities.

Zimbabwe confirmed its first COVID-19 casualty, raising concerns about the country's ability to handle the pandemic given its fragile healthcare system and poor internet access. Zororo Makamba, a 30-year-old known for his video series, died from the virus. Healthcare workers have gone on strike due to a lack of personal protective equipment, and President Mnangagwa has banned large gatherings and closed educational institutions. Civil society groups are calling for a national effort to strengthen the healthcare system and improve access to information.

Zimbabwe's 2018 elections were marred by distrust due to the introduction of a biometric voter registration system and a partnership with Chinese company CloudWalk Technology for facial recognition technology. The system, which required citizens to submit biometric data, was seen as a tool for voter intimidation and monitoring. Despite assurances, the technology's use was opaque, with no biometric checks conducted during voting and ruling party agents collecting registration slip serial numbers post-election. The lack of a data protection law in Zimbabwe and the potential for increased surveillance raised concerns about tech-driven authoritarianism. Civil society groups and experts criticized the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's independence and the transparency of the election process.

In the 2018 Zimbabwean elections, the introduction of a biometric voter registration system, developed in partnership with Chinese company CloudWalk Technology, raised concerns about voter intimidation and privacy. Despite promises of increased election security, the system's use by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which had questionable independence, and the ruling party's actions post-election, led to distrust among voters. The lack of a data protection law in Zimbabwe and the potential for surveillance technology to limit freedoms heightened fears of a tech-driven authoritarian future. The partnership with CloudWalk is part of a pattern of questionable election-related business agreements in Zimbabwe.

Since the ousting of Robert Mugabe in 2017, the Zimbabwean government under Emmerson Mnangagwa has been using social media disinformation to control public perception and suppress dissent. Tactics include spreading false information, discrediting reports as 'fake news', and internet shutdowns, particularly during anti-government protests. The rise in internet and mobile phone usage has made social media a battleground for information, with the government and its supporters actively working to mislead the public and discredit organizations like Human Rights Watch. The situation reflects a historical pattern of media control and suppression of free expression in Zimbabwe.

In January 2019, Zimbabwe experienced internet disruptions and social media access restrictions imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration, citing national security during protests against a fuel price hike. The disruptions, which included a total network shutdown in Harare and Bulawayo, were challenged and deemed illegal by the High Court. The government's control over the ICT market and potential future disruptions raise concerns about the state of digital rights in Zimbabwe. The Mnangagwa administration is also pushing for policies and a cybercrime bill that could further restrict online freedoms. Despite the diverse ICT market, the government maintains control through ownership and regulatory bodies. The cost of mobile data in Zimbabwe is one of the highest globally, making it inaccessible for many citizens. Activists and journalists emphasize the importance of digital rights awareness.

In January 2019, the Zimbabwean government, led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, imposed an internet and social media blockade following violent protests over a significant fuel price increase. The shutdown had a detrimental impact on the economy, with experts estimating a direct cost of $5.7 million for each day of the blackout. Businesses, particularly in the tech and e-commerce sectors, were severely affected, with operations grinding to a halt. The shutdown also disrupted mobile money services like EcoCash, which is central to the country's economy. Despite the economic damage, the government has stated it would not hesitate to repeat the shutdown for state security reasons. The World Bank projects Zimbabwe's GDP to grow by 3.7 percent, slightly above the estimate for sub-Saharan Africa. However, the internet blockade has highlighted the vulnerability of Zimbabwe's economy to such government actions.

The article, reported by Kudzai Chimhangwa, describes the severe industrial decline in Harare's Workington Industrial area, once a hub of manufacturing activity in Zimbabwe. The area is now filled with abandoned buildings, rusting machinery, and overgrown vegetation, symbolizing the country's economic meltdown. The decline is attributed to capital flight, company closures, job losses, and ill-conceived political policies, including the indigenisation policy. Local economic analyst Takunda Mugaga and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president George Nkiwane provide insights into the causes and impacts of the industrial collapse. The article notes that in 2013 alone, 711 companies in Harare closed, leading to over 8,000 job losses, with the situation worsening since then.