What we do
It is a fundamental human right to ask for and receive, information held by public organisations and bodies. It is critically important to make sure that information held by the public, and in some cases private institutions is available and accessible to citizens in a form and/ or language understandable to them.
MISA Zimbabwe lobbies for the enactment of democratic access to information laws as the right to seek, access and receive information is guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 4 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa. It is also provided for in sections 61 and 62 of the Zimbabwe constitution.
Therefore, this programme seeks to campaign for the public to enjoy their right to be informed through unrestricted access to information.
International Day for Universal Access to information
MISA Zimbabwe commemorates September 28th as International Day for Universal Access to Information. MISA Zimbabwe celebrates Universal Access to Information Day to raise awareness about the importance of the right of access to information in Zimbabwe and throughout the world and cast the spotlight on the challenges that hamper the enjoyment of this fundamental right.
Access to information and knowledge, free expression (online and offline), respect for cultural and linguistic diversity and quality education for all, are key pillars in building knowledge societies.
Access to information news from our chapters
World Press Freedom Day 2022 Statement by Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2022 STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER OURVEENA GEEREESHA TOPSY-SONOO SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN AFRICA 02 MAY 2022 Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished participants; Allow me to introduce...
MISA’s indelible footprints during World Press Freedom Day commemorations
By Tabani Moyo The 2022 World Press Freedom Day commemorations are and will remain a critical milestone in the lifespan of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) as they took place when the organisation turned 30. This is by no means a mean feat! In the...
Worrying decline in media freedom in Southern Africa
Reporters Without Boundaries has released the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, which points to worrying signs for freedom of expression in Southern Africa, with a number of countries recording sharp declines. Botswana, long regarded as a bastion of democracy, saw a...
Zimbabwe further declines on World Press Freedom Index
Zimbabwe once again declined on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s 2022 World Press Freedom Index, a worrying trend, as the country reverses the gains it made following the ouster of Robert Mugabe as president in 2017. Following Mugabe’s ouster, Zimbabwe initially...
MISA launches second regional press freedom report
MISA has launched the second edition of the State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa report, with this year’s edition focusing on digital surveillance of journalists. The report was launched simultaneously in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe where MISA, UNESCO and the government...