As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, it is sad to note that this comes at a time when the media and the peoples of Southern Africa continue to face various challenges in their respective countries.
Media freedom
World Press Freedom Day Commemorations – 30 years on!
The year 2023 has seen the bulk of the southern African countries making positive steps in the rankings of the Reporters Without Borders Index. Of the 15 countries that were ranked, six slid down the ladder of rankings. One of the six that had a negative movement is Namibia dropping from position 18 to 22 yet maintaining the number one position in Africa.
Southern Africa improves on media rankings but more needs to be done
Commenting on the latest rankings, MISA Regional Director Tabani Moyo said there was need to sustain the quest for media freedom and build on the improvements over the past year.
MISA Regional World Press Freedom Day Statement
Thus, the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day – Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights – is quite apt as it serves as a reminder of the centrality of freedom of expression in the enjoyment of all other human rights.
Freedom of expression key to enjoyment of other fundamental rights
MISA Zimbabwe, in line with the universal theme, and the obtaining environment in Zimbabwe, is thus celebrating this year’s WPFD under the localised theme: Freedom of Expression as a Public Good: Pivotal to the Enjoyment of other Rights.
MISA engages SADC over media regulations and safety
Moyo however, highlighted that previous elections were marked by increases in attacks against journalists and it was imperative that measures be put in place to ensure the safety of media workers during the electoral period.
The nuts and bolts of the nationwide police-media engagement meetings
The Action Plan was the culmination of extensive engagements, dating back to September 2016, with senior police officers, represented by the then National Police Spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, and media representative organisations led by MISA Zimbabwe Trustee Cris Chinaka.
Journalists free to cover the ZEC mobile voter registration exercise
In his letter, Dr Moyo said the clarification sought would ensure that journalists are able to cover the registration exercise without hindrance as provided for by Section 61 of the Constitution which protects media freedom as well as Section 62 on the right to access to information.
New MISA Zimbabwe Legal & ICT Policy Lead
MISA Zimbabwe welcomes Ms Sithole to the organisation to lead one of our organisational strategic pillars in these complex moments in our socio-economic and political environment in Zimbabwe and the region at large.
Freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom critical for credible elections in Southern Africa
SADC member states should further ensure that the enacted and proposed domestic laws are aligned with the African Union (AU) Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection and the ACHPR’s Revised Declaration on Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.