PROMOTING FREE EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
The IECMS in Section 2 of SI 153 of 2023 is defined as:
The electronic platform operated by the Judicial Service Commission to enable litigants in the High Court to file and serve process electronically, pay court fees electronically, track their cases electronically, and participate virtually in the proceedings of the court.
The government says the Bill proposes, among other changes, the streamlining of the board of the SABC, which will strengthen its responsibilities and accountability. It also proposes reforms in the SABC’s funding model and the TV licensing system, the government says.
On signing the Access to Information Act into law on 22 December, President Hakainde Hichilema said the enactment of the legislation was a major milestone in the media sector and the country, as it would promote access to information by the media and other players.
MISA Botswana is concerned that the dissemination of the journalists’ personal data exposes them to targeted attacks as it has lately been the case with journalists, Kealeboga Dihutso of Duma FM and Kabo Ramasia of the Patriot on Sunday newspaper.
Developments in information technologies are now revolutionising entire facets of life through advances in AI, which requires agility in the government playing a facilitatory role in responsive communication ecosystems in Zimbabwe that speak to the broader league of nations that have since embraced the same.
I will start with the theme of the Windhoek Declaration +30 – Information as a public good. With this in mind, we push forward the main argument that electoral management bodies (EMBs), have a critical responsibility as custodians of elections.
Resolution 522 highlights that: Digital violence is increasingly gendered and disproportionately affects women, through inter alia threats of sexual violence, misogynistic disinformation campaigns and “revenge pornography…”
The media, citizens, and governments have a role to play in ensuring the dissemination of accurate and factual information while curbing misinformation and disinformation through regulations, programmes, and awareness.
A report by Citizen Lab in December 2020 revealed that at least three Southern African countries – Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe – had acquired surveillance equipment from Circles, an Israeli firm.
No media violations involving the police or other security arms of the state were recorded during this period. However, on this day, we call upon the police to investigate all reported cases involving the assault or harassment of journalists.