This research was done by Chenai Chair on behalf of MISA Zimbabwe in partnership with DW Akademie focusing on digital rights literacy in Southern Africa with a specific focus on Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi.
News
Cyber Bill subject to Parly procedures despite COVID-19 lockdown
The Parliament of Zimbabwe says it will adhere to requisite parliamentary processes following the gazetting of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill notwithstanding the Coronavirus lockdown measures and restrictions.
Journalists charged under COVID-19 regulations granted bail
Journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira were granted bail when they appeared in court and remanded out of custody to 15 June 2020 on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations.
Content creators file court application against ZMC accreditation
Zimbabwe Online Content Creators Trust (ZOCC) has filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking an order for suspension of the Zimbabwe Media Commission’s accreditation process set to commence in Harare on 26 May 2020.
Regional governments intensify crackdowns on media during COVID-19
As the continent commemorates Africa Day on 25 May, it is worrying that the majority of Southern African countries, typical of fragile states, are taking advantage of the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus to tighten their grip on power.
Journalists charged under COVID-19 regulations remanded in custody
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.
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.