ZIMBABWE / PROMOTING FREE EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Governments in Southern Africa are coming up with several regulations under the pretext of regulating the scourge of misinformation, particularly in the COVID-19 period, yet, they are using these laws to target dissenting voices, civil society, the media and opposition political parties.
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 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.
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.
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.
MISa Zimbabwe's analysis of the recently gazetted Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill, 2019.
MISA Zimbabwe is calling for a reduction of data prices and engaging various stakeholders to promote the constitutional right to access to information which plays a crucial role in promoting public health during this time.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day commemorations come on the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s 40 years of independence and ahead of the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration in 2021.
Misinformation about the virus and alleged vaccines against Coronavirus has given rise to unproductive and unwarranted debates on the state of the pandemic, its spread and impact.
Zimbabwe High Court judge Justice Manzunzu on 20 April 2020 ordered the police and other law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown not to arrest, detain or interfere “in any unnecessary way” with the work of journalists.