Politics of Uncertainty? Perceptions and Perspectives on Press Freedom in Mozambique

Since 2017, media houses in Mozambique have faced escalating challenges, including increased violence against media practitioners and restricted access to information. Additionally, two proposed laws on social communication and broadcasting have heightened concerns about press freedom. Given this context, this study investigates two questions: (1) How do domestic perceptions of press freedom among the government, general public, and media practitioners generate uncertainties? (2) How do various media practitioners in Mozambique interpret, evaluate, and adapt to the politics of uncertainty? The study employs a multifaceted methodology, incorporating content analysis of press releases and speeches by the Mozambican government, regression analysis of Afrobarometer survey rounds, an online survey of 36 journalists, and 31 semi-structured interviews with journalists, editors, civil society leaders, and scholars. This approach delves into the diversity and nuances of perceptions of press freedom among various actors, examining the cleavages, gaps, and tensions arising from differing value priorities and practices. The study posits that press freedom in Mozambique must be understood in a dynamic, evolving, and non-linear context. It underscores the importance of societal factions and entrenched power structures predominantly maintained by informal institutions. The findings may contribute to a deeper understanding of the epistemology of press freedom in southern Africa.