MISA Zimbabwe, in line with the universal theme, and the obtaining environment in Zimbabwe, is thus celebrating this year’s WPFD under the localised theme: Freedom of Expression as a Public Good: Pivotal to the Enjoyment of other Rights.
Freedom of expression
Region should pay attention to shrinking civic space
The summit was organised by Accountability Lab, Ford Foundation, WFD, NED, Alliance for Finance Monitoring, African Election Observation Network, Christian Churches Monitoring Group, International IDEA, Kofi Annan Foundation, Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network, The Carter Centre, Zambia, the European Partnership for Democracy, the European Union, the Westminster Foundation, the African Election Observation Network and MISA Regional Office.
Journalists free to cover the ZEC mobile voter registration exercise
In his letter, Dr Moyo said the clarification sought would ensure that journalists are able to cover the registration exercise without hindrance as provided for by Section 61 of the Constitution which protects media freedom as well as Section 62 on the right to access to information.
Malawi should rethink its broadcasting licence regime
The Spaces of Solidarity platform, thus, calls on the government, through MACRA, to address concerns of high annual fees broadcasters have to pay to the regulator. These subscriptions are pegged in US dollars and the recent devaluation of the Malawi kwacha against the all major convertible currencies has made the licence fees more expensive and unsustainable for broadcasters in the country.
Now Available: State of Access and Use of Community Information Centres in Zimbabwe report
The survey was conducted in all the provinces except Mashonaland Central. Mucheke in Masvingo Province, had the majority of respondents per CIC with 37
respondents followed by Chikato in the same province with 35 respondents.
Freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom critical for credible elections in Southern Africa
SADC member states should further ensure that the enacted and proposed domestic laws are aligned with the African Union (AU) Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection and the ACHPR’s Revised Declaration on Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
MISA Botswana elects new NGC
The elections took place four months after the annual general meeting in September 2022 was suspended as one of the aspirants for the position of chairperson of MISA Botswana was an active member and a position bearer in a political party – something that is an affront to the MISA Regional Network’s values.
Zimbabwe should #KeepItOn#
It should also be noted that neither criminalising the publishing of falsehoods or imposing internet shutdowns are reasonable, justifiable and proportionate mechanisms to curb the spread of disinformation.
MISA Zimbabwe position on barring of NewsDay from covering national events
According to NewsDay, this came after “someone” from Parliament reportedly deleted the names of its two reporters from the list of reporters accredited to cover the SONA, thereby effectively barring them from covering the presentation of the 2023 National Budget the next day.
Governments should come up with punitive measures for crimes against journalists
The event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, was jointly organised by MISA, UNESCO, the Government of Zimbabwe (Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services), Media Monitors and the International Media Support (IMS).