The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic among other major challenges poses the greatest test to Zimbabwe’s respect for its Bill of Rights more so as it pertains to media freedom and citizens’ right to access to information.
News
TellZim journalist arrested in Chiredzi
Beatific Ngumbwanda a journalist with TellZim weekly newspaper was on 8 April 2020 arrested by the police in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe who accused him of violating the lockdown regulations as stipulated in terms of Statutory Instrument (SI) 82 of 2020.
Internet access a fundamental human right– data must fall!
The costs of mobile data in Zimbabwe is prohibitive and discriminates and infringes on citizens’ right to access to information as provided for by the Constitution and the African Declaration on Internet Rights.
Journalist assaulted by police, forced to delete footage
Freelance journalist Panashe Makufa was beaten up by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), today around 1700hrs in the Harare suburb of Kuwadzana while undertaking his professional duties.
Attack on Prime TV journalists saddens MISA Zambia
MISA Zambia has received with sadness reports of harassment of Prime TV journalist Jubilee Malambo by allegedly PF cadres who threatened to break his camera if he captured the victims of the houses which collapsed after a heavy downpour in Samfya district.
Exorbitant fees hamper Zimbabwean citizens’ right to information
MISA Zimbabwe calls for the review of listener’s fees for radio and television following the increase of listeners’ licence fees for both radio and television by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill needs to be fine-tuned
MISA Zimbabwe and Media Alliance of Zimbabwe recommend that independence of the Zimbabwe Media Commission be guarded by ensuring that the minister’s powers to interfere with its operations are removed.
Newsday Zimbabwe journalist harassed at Zanu PF meeting
Simbarashe Sithole a news reporter with NewsDay Zimbabwe was reportedly arraigned before Zanu PF politicians by the party’s provincial chairperson at a meeting in Mvurwi to explain a story about an alleged rift between MPs and war veterans in the province.
Call for entries for the 2020 MISA Malawi Annual Media Awards
The 2020 awards will include four new categories.
Zimbabwe Parliament grills BAZ over radio stations licensing criteria
MISA Zimbabwe maintains that the process used to identify the 10 areas earmarked for the community radio stations was not transparent and had disadvantages to other prospective players.