ZIMBABWE / PROMOTING FREE EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Tanzania is in the process of holding its general elections, which have been tainted by the government’s clampdown on basic rights such as freedoms of expression, media, and, digital rights.
On 26 and 27 October 2020, there were reports that the Tanzania government had throttled the internet, while also attempting to enforce social media blackouts.
In the past 10 months, the Tanzanian government has suspended a number of media organisations from broadcasting or publishing, among them Clouds FM and Clouds TV, while the newspaper Tanzania Daima, has been indefinitely barred from publishing.
Sometime in August 2020, the Zimbabwe Cabinet discussed the possibility of adopting a law that criminalises campaigning against one’s own country.
The right to privacy is very critical because it is an enabling right that allows for the exercise of media freedom and freedom of expression. It is in that context that the confidentiality of media sources is key and equally protected by the Constitution.
The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), has proposed new regulations that stipulate that individuals with more than 100 followers on social media platforms will be considered as internet broadcasters and may need to register with authorities.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has raised alarm at the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists and women human rights defenders.
MISA Zimbabwe commends the relevant Parliamentary Portfolio Committees for producing a report that largely captures the submissions of citizens during the public consultation processes on the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill.
This year’s International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) comes at a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe following the enactment of the country’s Freedom of Information Act.
The MISA Transparency report for 2020 comes at a time when the world at large is under lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inevitably, this has had an effect on the right of access to information in Zimbabwe.