According to information provided to the International Press Institute (IPI), the medium wave signal of the London-based SW Radio Africa is apparently being jammed in and around the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare.

The apparent jamming follows reports over the last two weeks of the break-up of the medium wave signal inside Zimbabwe.

At first, these problems appeared to be related to signal difficulties; however, on 26 June, the station concluded that the previous problems were merely tests in the lead-up to a persistent jamming of the morning medium wave signal.

Based on information from inside Zimbabwe, the jamming is believed to come from the broadcasting centre at Pockets Hill, rather than ZBC Gweru, which has previously jammed SW Radio Africa on its shortwave band.

It is widely believed that the Chinese government has provided the Zimbabwean government with the technology that allows the signal of private radio stations to be jammed inside the country.

In early June, the Zimbabwean vice-president, Joyce Mujuru, returned from a visit to China and announced a number of trade deals including a significant deal with Star Communications to provide the necessary equipment to allow Zimbabwean state radio and television to broadcast all over the country.

Commenting on the apparent jamming of SW Radio Africa’s signal, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said, “Having brought the independent press to its knees, it now seems that the Zimbabwean government is determined to do the same with independent radio stations, both inside and outside the country.”

“Since the beginning of the year, the government has done everything within its powers to silence the Zimbabwe-based Voice of the People radio station and it is now blocking outside signals.”

Fritz added, “Because of the growing relationship between the Zimbabwean government and China it is hard not to see these actions as part of a concerted effort to silence all alternative radio voices in the country. If successful, this will allow the state radio and television to use Chinese funding to broadcast its own deeply prejudiced views to the Zimbabwean people unchallenged.”