ZIMBABWE / PROMOTING FREE EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), with the approval of the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services recently gazetted the registration and accreditation fees for media companies and journalists in terms of Statutory Instrument (SI) 22 of 2021.
MISA Zimbabwe condemns the shutdown of the internet in Uganda a day before the elections to date, given that elections are at the core of the exercise of democracy and respect of citizens’ rights.
The permanent suspension of US President Donald Trump's account has raised the concerns of ordinary internet users, particularly the demonstrated authority of social media platforms to permanently prohibit a user from exercising their freedom of expression on their platforms.
Ugandan authorities have ordered internet service providers in the East African country to block access to social media sites ahead of elections on 14 January 2021.
MISA Zimbabwe has written a letter on 4 January 2021 to the Commissioner-General of Police, Mr Tandabantu Godwin Matanga appealing for the law enforcement services to ensure the safety and security of journalists, who in terms of the regulations are providers of essential services.
South African journalist Thobile Mlangeni sustained injuries on 26 November 2020 when police allegedly fired rubber bullets indiscriminately in Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province.
On 9 December 2020, consumers and internet users nationwide struggled to access internet services as one of the biggest internet services provider ZOL Zimbabwe’s system was not working.
The Africa Media Barometer (AMB) Zimbabwe 2020 was launched today, 20 November 2020 in Harare. The findings covered the period between November 2015 – January 2020.
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has awarded six television licences following public interviews held in October 2020. This is the first time that the country has licensed commercial television stations.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Commissioner Jamesina King has written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa regarding the arrest and detention of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.