100% 90% 89% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 11% 10% 0% Men Women Figure 12.2: Media Coverage between Men and Women. 12.4 Online Media The internet played a significant role in the 2018 elections. According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), internet penetration in Zimbabwe stood at 50.8%52in the first quarter of 2018, while mobile phone penetration stood at 102.7%. The internet was used by different groups within the election, significantly by political parties for campaign purposes and CSOs for voter information and mobilisation. The two main political parties, ZANU-PF and MDC Alliance, deployed the use of “online armies” to take on the opposing party and canvass for support, especially among the urban youths. Online debates on politics were also prevalent and reached a wide segment of those with access to the Internet. Key trends on social media during the election period showed high levels of engagement on social media by citizens on election-related matters. Disputes around the administration of the election, such as the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the 2018 voters’ roll, printing of ballot papers; and postal voting, among others were discussed. Live feeds provided real time information on election-related events in a manner that the mainstream media did not. Events streamed live by different organisations included ZEC election updates, including announcement of results; interviews with various political players; press conferences and statements by election observer missions; and press conferences by various CSOs that included the ESR. 52 https://www.eyetrodigital.com/2018/03/21/zimbabwe-records-50-8-internet-penetration-2017/ 72 | P a g e