Colleagues!
We have just published a detailed Commentary on the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, 2019, complete with recommendations on further improvements that can still be made on the Bill before it is passed into law.
As stated in our reaction when the Bill was gazetted on 9 August 2019, this is the second of three official Bills meant to replace the discredited and restrictive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). When passed into law, the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill is meant to give effect to repeal sections of AIPPA that dealt with regulation of the media in Zimbabwe.
In its current wording, the Bill subordinates the commission to the ministry, which highly compromises its functions and independence. The commission cannot make substantive decisions without consulting the minister. This is a violation of the constitution of the country.
The detailed Commentary on the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill is available for viewing and download in the resource centre on our website.
