This has a chilling effect on freedom of expression and the media. Such laws have been used in other jurisdictions to target political opponents, journalists, and activists.
Broadcasting
African Commission calls for guidelines to adapt African media policy to digital era
The Commission’s resolution highlights the pressing need to update African media policy for the digital age.
Increased urgency and momentum key to addressing barriers and biases women face
Resolution 522 highlights and laments that, digital violence is increasingly gendered and disproportionately affects women, through inter alia threats of sexual violence, misogynistic disinformation campaigns and revenge pornography…
Shadow Report of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services public hearings on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill H.B 9, 2024
Media freedom advocacy group, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) and its partners in a network of journalistic professional associations and media support organisations, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) participated in all seven (7) public hearings conducted throughout the country to shadow this public process and compile this report to enhance further policy discussions and parliamentary debates on the law.
MISA ZIMBABWE & MAZ Statement on passage of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill in the National Assembly
MISA Zimbabwe and MAZ are particularly disappointed by how the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Jenfan Muswere, who is sponsoring the Bill in Parliament, seemingly disregarded the input of the people as obtained in the report of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.
Southern Africa should intensify fight against online gender-based violence
This calls for developing more rigorous and coordinated strategies to stem the growing menace of GBV at national, continental, and global levels. Female journalists should be capacitated to vigorously deal with technologically facilitated GBV.
Collective efforts vital in fighting gender-based violence
Resolution 522 highlights that: Digital violence is increasingly gendered and disproportionately affects women, through inter alia threats of sexual violence, misogynistic disinformation campaigns and “revenge pornography…”
MISA Zimbabwe Analysis of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill
It provides that the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) regulates and manages the broadcasting service bands for sustenance rather than control, thereby aligning it with constitutional principles and international best practices. Its emphasis on enhancing transparency, fostering inclusivity, and promoting local content is commendable.
Zimbabwe should stay the course in reducing media freedom violations
Zimbabwe moved 10 places from 126 in 2023 to 116 in 2024 in Reporters Without Borders’s World Press Freedom Index rankings. This came on the backdrop of reductions in media freedom violations last year, culminating in an improved media operating environment during Zimbabwe’s 2023 election season.
MISA Regional 2023 Annual Report (Now Available!!!)
In these precarious conditions, expression and truth-telling are the first layers of casualty, as nations recoil, become inward looking, focusing on narrow national issues at the expense of a holistic picture. Suffice to say the entire construct of humanity is highly vulnerable due to such inward-looking approaches.