2 dozen Zim Journalists could lose jobs as Elon Mu...

2 dozen Zim Journalists could lose jobs as Elon Musk Calls for Closure of VOA Studio 7

Gilbert Munetsi

Zim Now Writer

More than 20 Zimbabwean journalists could soon find themselves out of work following billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk’s call to shut down Voice of America, including its Zimbabwe-focused service, Studio 7.

Musk, the South African-born U.S. billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently took to X to support the closure of VOA, a U.S. government-funded broadcaster that has been a key source of independent news for Zimbabweans since its inception in January 2003.

Studio 7 has played a critical role in Zimbabwe’s media landscape, offering in-depth coverage of politics, civil society, the economy, health, sports, and the arts. The service, which broadcasts in Shona, English, and Ndebele, extends beyond Zimbabwe to reach listeners in South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zambia.

Musk’s remarks were in response to criticism from Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy for special missions, who labelled VOA and Radio Free Europe as "taxpayer-funded state media outlets filled with far-left activists."

Grenell argued that these institutions are outdated and unnecessary in today’s media environment, writing:

“Radio Free Europe and Voice of America are media outlets paid for by the American taxpayers. It is state-owned media. These outlets are filled with far-left activists. I’ve worked with these reporters for decades. It’s a relic of the past. We don’t need government-paid media outlets.”

Musk amplified Grenell’s sentiments, stating, “Yes, close them. Europe is free now (not counting the stifling bureaucracy). Nobody listens to them anymore. They are just crazy radical leftists talking to themselves while burning American taxpayer money. That’s about $1 billion a year wasted.”

For Zimbabwe, the potential shutdown of Studio 7 could deal a significant blow to press freedom and access to an alternative source of information.

VOA, which was established in 1942, is the oldest and largest U.S. international broadcaster, producing content in 48 languages across digital platforms, TV, and radio. Programs such as Let’s Talk, Ngatikurukureyi (Shona) and Zimbabwe Today, Asixoxeni (Ndebele) have created platforms for Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora to discuss pressing national issues.

Musk has also been vocal against U.S. federal funding for media organizations such as Politico, The Associated Press, and The New York Times, arguing that such spending is an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. However, the potential closure of VOA Studio 7 raises questions about the future of media plurality and access to independent information for Zimbabweans.