As the continent commemorates Africa Day on 25 May, it is worrying that the majority of Southern African countries, typical of fragile states, are taking advantage of the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus to tighten their grip on power.
Statements
Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill entrenches surveillance
MISa Zimbabwe’s analysis of the recently gazetted Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill, 2019.
‘Journalism without fear’ – Amid Covid-19
May has been celebrated as a day when governments must take accountability and recognise the importance of a free media in a democracy.
Implementing democratic media reforms is not rocket science!
This year’s World Press Freedom Day commemorations come on the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s 40 years of independence and ahead of the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration in 2021.
Zim High Court orders police not to arrest journalists
Zimbabwe High Court judge Justice Manzunzu on 20 April 2020 ordered the police and other law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown not to arrest, detain or interfere “in any unnecessary way” with the work of journalists.
Zimbabwe at 40: Missed opportunities on media democratic front
Zimbabwe celebrates its 40 years of independence on 18 April 2020 against the backdrop of several missed opportunities to entrench the country’s democratic credentials, which is critical to socio-economic development and national prosperity.
MISA journalists court application hearing adjourned to Monday
The matter in which MISA Zimbabwe is seeking a High Court order interdicting police officers and other law enforcement agents from interfering with the work of journalists during the COVID-19 lockdown was adjourned to Monday, 20 April 2020.
MISA files court application against police harassment of journalists
MISA Zimbabwe has filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking an order interdicting police officers and other law enforcement agents from interfering with the work of journalists on the basis that their press cards were issued in 2019.
MISA files urgent COVID-19 court application
MISA Zimbabwe has filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking an order compelling the government to publish and disseminate information on the private and public testing and treatment centres allocated for dealing with COVID -19 cases.
COVID-19 is the enemy, not the media!
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.