[Mozambique: communication and transition of socialism].

Abstract

: Information played a crucial part in the war of independence in the Mozambique. It was considered from the start as one of the fronts. The Movement for independence counted with the tanzanian radio. However the majority of the population had no access to radios; therefore information was carried in any possible way (posters, caricatures, pictures, pamphlets). The messages were addressed mainly to 3 groups of people: militants of the Frelimo (liberation movement), the people of Mozambique, and the soldiers from the colonial army. For outside propaganda, the liberation movement had a periodical report which was published in French, English and Portuguese. The participation of foreign film producers was very important. Information in the Mozambique is very inefficient. The 2 main reasons for this are the lack of qualified personnel and a certain indifference in some areas towards the importance of information. The principle which lies behind information in the Mozambique is not so much to solve problems, but rather to ask questions. The people must participate largely to the information. There is no television in the Mozambique, although the Portuguese broadcasting set up for military purposes could be extended. For the 1st time in a country of transition to socialism, the possibility of refusing or even differing the installation of television is considered. Television is no longer seen as a tool of democratisation, but more as a danger to provoke a segregation between rural and urban areas. It is difficult to create a national conscience in a country where 6 different languages and as many dialects are spoken. Most medias only use Portuguese; only the radio tries to use national languages.