Journalist Passmore Kuzipa was on 25 October 2024 elected unopposed as Chairperson of MISA Zimbabwe’s National Governing Council during the media freedom and freedom of expression advocacy and lobby organisation’s annual general meeting in Harare.
Kuzipa takes over from Golden Maunganidze following the end of his two consecutive three-year terms of office as stipulated by the MISA Zimbabwe constitution.
Phyliss Kachere was elected Vice Chairperson (unopposed) following the expiry of former Vice Chairperson Ruth Butaumocho’s term of office, together with that of Committee Members Pamenus Tuso and Kenneth Matimaire.
Albert Mazhale and Jeffrey Muvundisi were elected as Committee Members while Nokuthula Mahaka retained her position as Treasurer.
Following the MISA Zimbabwe elections, Maunganidze stepped down as the MISA Regional Council Chairperson. Accordingly, the Vice Chairperson, Jeremias Langa (MISA Mozambique Chairperson), assumes office as the new RGC Chairperson.
Golden Matonga (MISA Malawi Chairperson), replaces Langa as the new Vice Chairperson, while Ms Salame Kitomari (MISA Tanzania) remains the Treasurer.
Journalist and publisher of a provincial newspaper in Zimbabwe, Kuzipa who is in the final lap of his law studies, accordingly, joins the Regional Governing Council.
Said Maunganidze:
“I wish the MISA team all the best as you leap forward with the assignment to be the most formidable shield in defence of expression from moving targets.
“In line with the constitutional provisions, I will be an ex officio member of the network for a year in both the Zimbabwe Chapter and at the RGC (Regional Governing Council).”
Meanwhile, the MISA Zimbabwe annual general meeting (AGM) was preceded by a conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Age of Information Disorders.
In his report to the 2024 AGM, Maunganidze said AI is a “game changer” with the potential to improve and transform all sectors of the African social system.
“We therefore welcome government’s announcement that a national artificial intelligence (AI) policy framework has since been completed as part of efforts to accelerate digital transformation in Zimbabwe.
“To promote the sustainable adoption of AI in Africa, there is a need for capacity building, and the development of local data sets. This calls for the involvement of African innovators, policy makers and academics in AI conversations to ensure solutions align with African needs and priorities.”
Maunganidze said this requires prioritising responsible AI, responsible AI practices, investing in research and knowledge transfer and fostering local innovation benefits of AI while safeguarding privacy, and promoting inclusivity and respecting African ethics and standards.
He noted the “great strides” by MISA Zimbabwe in collaboration with other key stakeholders, to enhance citizens’ right to access to information, as aptly captured by the 2024 International Day for Universal Access to Information theme: Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.
This follows intense training of community-based organisations (CBOs), journalists and citizens in general by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) and MISA Zimbabwe.
“Access to information has empowered citizens to enjoy and defend other rights, such as the right to shelter/housing, a clean environment, and the solution of human-wildlife conflict.”
“MISA Zimbabwe is, however, concerned that some public institutions are still to appoint designated information officers and develop information disclosure policies as required by the Freedom of Information Act. This situation continues to undermine citizens’ right to access information.”
On gender mainstreaming, he said MISA Zimbabwe held a workshop in Harare in December 2023 as part of the 16 Days of Activism to highlight and lobby for the implementation of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) Resolution 522 on the Protection of Women Against Digital Violence in Africa.
Several women, particularly female journalists and female politicians in Zimbabwe, have been victims of cyber-bullying and harassment, which has greatly affected the exercise of digital rights by women.
MISA Zimbabwe also deliberately targeted young female journalists who underwent training in journalism safety and security in Harare as the country geared for the 2023 elections.
Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections were conducted in a drastically improved media operating environment regarding journalists’ and media workers safety and security due to various interventions and actions by MISA Zimbabwe in collaboration with other key stakeholders.
The activities, among others, involved journalism training workshops on election reporting, journalism safety and security (online and offline), fact-checking and engagements with key stakeholders.
This resulted in the massive reduction in media freedom violations, which tend to spike during the country’s election campaign seasons
“Allow me, therefore, to extend our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Media Commission, political parties and our colleagues under the auspices of the representative Media Alliance of Zimbabwe for making that possible.”
He said more can still be done to secure a conducive media operating environment, hence MISA Zimbabwe’s push for the domestication of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
