News stories world-wide About music censorship Artists on censorship About Freemuse Publications Study room Activities Links Press room

THOMAS MAPFUMO Zimbabwe: No end to music censorship in Zimbabwe Hosiah Chipanga and Raymond Majongwe speak about their recent experiences with music censorship in the “new” Zimbabwe under a coalition government. 07 September 2009 Zimbabwe before the elections: Airplay is only for the "patriots" While the radio keeps rotating songs that praise the current regime, opposition and dissenting voices are silenced, and things fall apart, writes Maxwell Sibanda from Harare 10 March 2008 Radio Freemuse: 'Music censorship in Africa 2008' Listen to or download a 15 minutes radio report explaining about music censorship in Africa today. Hear what the African musicians have to say themselves about the topic 27 February 2008 Zimbabwe: Profile of Thomas Mapfumo – 'the Lion of Zimbabwe' Throughout years of struggle, Mapfumo has been an important revolutionary figure in Zimbabwe – fighting with the power of music. 27 November 2007 UK: "Cultural censorship" threatens artistic endeavours Stringent immigration regulations have led to several foreign artists being denied entry into the UK, making it increasingly difficult to organise musical events featuring foreign artists 16 August 2006 Postscript to report on censorship in Zimbabwe "Playing with Fire: Fear and Self-Censorship in Zimbabwean Music". Extensive Freemuse report, including case studies on Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Read abstract and full report (PDF) 05 January 2005 Zimbabwean Censorship Board absent from censorship discussion “Artists in Zimbabwe do not know what the censorship board looks at when accessing productions, so this was an opportunity for them to know." A meeting in Harare discussed the growing concern about the Censorship Board 22 September 2004 Zimbabwe: Complete control - Music and propaganda in Zimbabwe The Zimbabwean government records 'praise music' to replace critical songs. Extensive article on Zanu PF and their use of music as propaganda, past and present 20 September 2004 Threatening borders Visa problems: Fortresses that Western authorities build around their riches dissuadés more and more musicians from risking discomfort and humiliation at the borders 09 June 2004 Censorship threatens future musicians Thomas Mapfumo (Zimbabwe) and Freemuse executive director Marie Korpe interviewed by BBC at the launch of the book: Shoot the Singer! Music Censorship Today 01 June 2004 Thomas Mapfumo "I am the voice of the voiceless.." Video and audio interviews with Thomas Mapfumo on music censorship in Zimbabwe 26 May 2004 Shoot the Singer! Book "Shoot the Singer! Music Censorship Today". The first worldwide presentation of contemporary cases of music censorship, with cases from i.a. Burma, Mexico, Middle East, France, Algeria, Zimbabwe, USA, South Africa, Turkey. Edited by Freemuse director Marie Korpe, published by Zed Books, May 2004. 25 May 2004 Thomas Mapfumo denied visa The US based singer was denied entry into Canada on his last tour 10 December 2003 The Beginnings of Zimbabwean Protest Music Extensive background information on the political music of Zimbabwe - with artists like Mapfumo, Brown, and Mtukudzi - and also dealing with the Zanu PF governments use of music as propaganda 01 April 2003 Zimbabwe: Singing The Walls Down Protest music is alive and well in Zimbabwe, where the oppressed and the impoverished find hope and strength in the songs of Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Extensive article, including interviews with Mapfumo and Mtukudzi, as well as with government officials 23 February 2003 Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation employs Ian Smith laws Article on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation - still the sole broadcaster in Zimbabwe despite calls from all sectors of the media to free the airwaves 14 October 2002 Thomas Mapfumo returns to Zimbabwe Interview with Thomas Mapfumo on his first performances at home in almost a year, his new album ‘Chimurenga Rebel’, and the prospects for Zimbabwe's immediate future 15 February 2002 Pre-election tension in Zimbabwe In the run-up to the elections in March, artists in Zimbabwe fear that they may find themselves in trouble if their performance suggests criticism of the government 14 February 2002 Thomas Mapfumo fears arrest Thomas Mapfumo’s promoter has appealed to Amnesty International to assist the musician when he comes home later this month. Mapfumo had been informed that there were plans to eliminate him during his visit to the country 10 December 2001 Freemuse report on music censorship in Zimbabwe "Playing with Fire: Fear and Self-Censorship in Zimbabwean Music". Extensive Freemuse report, including case studies on Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Read abstract and full report (PDF) 25 October 2001