Home 9 Freedom of expression 9 Citizens have the right to free expression

Citizens have the right to free expression

Face showing free speech violation
25 Sep, 2017
Citizens have the right to freely express themselves online and offline while the media has the right to truthfully report and inform the nation on events as they unfold without fear.

MISA Zimbabwe is deeply disturbed by the press statement issued on 24 September 2017 by Minister of Home Affairs Dr Ignatius Chombo concerning the press and social media reports on the obtaining socio-economic and political environment.

Minister Chombo is on record accusing the press and social media of spreading alarm and despondency and warning that government would take “decisive action to deal a telling blow”  to the perpetrators of crime.

The minister’s statement poses a serious threat against the exercise of freedom of expression on the part of both the citizens and the media as provided for in Sections 61 and 62 of the Zimbabwean Constitution.

MISA Zimbabwe views this statement as calculated to instil self-censorship on the part of both the individual and the media to curb the free flow of information on pertinent socio-economic and political issues.

Citizens have the right to freely express themselves online and offline while the media has the right to truthfully report and inform the nation on events as they unfold without fear and undue hindrances as constitutionally guaranteed.

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

Share this

Related news

Parly issues adverse report on court electronic management system

Parly issues adverse report on court electronic management system

The Parliamentary Legal Committee has issued an adverse report on Statutory Instrument 153 of 2023 High Court (Amendment) Rules, 2023 (NO.1), which relates to the Judicial Service Commission’s Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS). The Committee met on...

Media development in Zimbabwe: Imperative need to connect the dots

Media development in Zimbabwe: Imperative need to connect the dots

By Dr Tabani Moyo Media development in Zimbabwe requires a holistic approach, alive to the gains accrued thus far and complex enough to connect the scattered dots through an outward-looking strategy responsive to the evolving needs of the media development ecosystem....