Journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira were on 23 May 2020 denied bail and remanded in custody to 26 May 2020 on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations when they appeared before the court in Harare’s suburb of Mbare.
News
MISA meets Media Commission over accreditation categories
The Zimbabwe Media Commission has assured MISA Zimbabwe that there were no ill intentions on its part with regards to the new accreditation categories and that it would be as flexible as possible when the accreditation process for 2020 commences next week.
Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill entrenches surveillance
MISa Zimbabwe’s analysis of the recently gazetted Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill, 2019.
Newsday journalist charged with contravening COVID-19 regulations
NewsDay journalist Rex Mphisa and Zimpapers sales representative Charles Marerwa were arrested in Dulivhadzimu, in Zimbabwe’s southern border town of Beitbridge on 15 May 2020 and charged with contravening Coronavirus regulations.
Zimbabwe: Protecting media freedom and access to information in 2020
MISA Zimbabwe shares its Way Forward recommendations for defending media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information to mark World Press Freedom Day 2020.
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.
Annual report for 2019 now available!
“We urge the government to prioritise the urgency and necessity of democratic reforms by ensuring the media bills are debated and fine-tuned during the 2020 parliamentary sessions”.
High Court orders information access on COVID-19
High Court judge Justice Mafusire has ordered the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to promote citizens’ access to information pertaining to Coronavirus.
Curbing misinformation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Misinformation about the virus and alleged vaccines against Coronavirus has given rise to unproductive and unwarranted debates on the state of the pandemic, its spread and impact.
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.