Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government at the end of their recent Ordinary Summit resolved to take pre-emptive measures against external interference, the impact of fake news and abuse of social media particularly in electoral processes.
Digital rights
Fresh assault on digital rights and expression in Tanzania
The Tanzanian government has banned organising or supporting any form of demonstrations online and ordered citizens not to share information about the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.
Court grants order in favour of MISA against Econet search warrant
The High Court has granted an order in favour of MISA Zimbabwe interdicting Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and other cited respondents from implementing a police warrant seeking information on the mobile phone operator’s transactions.
MISA files urgent court application against Econet search warrant
MISA Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) filed an urgent application with the High Court for an order interdicting Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and other cited respondents from implementing a police warrant seeking information on the mobile phone operator’s transactions.
Government asked to enact Cybersecurity Bill in line with continental benchmarks
Human rights groups worldwide highlight that the bill in its current form does not meet international standards on protecting privacy and personal data
MISA writes to Parliament: Submissions on the Cybersecurity Bill
MISA Zimbabwe has written a letter to Parliament in response to the august house’s call for submissions on the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill which was gazetted on 15 May 2020.
Zimbabwe Cyber Bill should promote and protect digital rights
Following the gazetting of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill, MISA Zimbabwe convened a capacity-building workshop on the proposed law in Harare with parliamentarians during which it highlighted its concerns with some of its provisions.
Information and Internet Rights in Zimbabwe report available now!
This research was compiled by Izak Minnaar, to assist MISA Zimbabwe to strategically advocate for the right to access information and the internet, using the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms and other advocacy instruments.
High Court orders Zimbabwe Media Commission to suspend accreditation process
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has been ordered by the High Court to suspend its accreditation process following an urgent application instituted by the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators Trust (ZOCC).
Tanzania’s cybercrime law anathema to democracy and free speech
Tanzanian journalist Mary Victor, with the Raia Mwema newspaper was charged for sedition after she allegedly shared a video clip of patients allegedly fleeing a COVID-19 centre in that country.