Media law reform and media regulation
Years after the adoption of the 2013 Constitution (PDF), which contains a universally acceptable Bill of Rights, there has not been any meaningful shift in the country’s statutory media regulation legislation and policies to make these constitutional gains a reality.
The statutory Zimbabwe Media Commission is empowered through the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act PDF. (AIPPA) with the registration and licensing of media houses and accreditation of journalists.
The government-sanctioned Information and Media Panel of Inquiry on 18 March 2015 officially released its report and recommendations on Zimbabwe’s information and media sectors urging the government to review and repeal the country’s restrictive media laws.
The report recommends the repeal of laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (CODE) (PDF), Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) (PDF), Censorship and Entertainment Controls Act (CECA) , Official Secrets Act (OSA) and Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, among others.
MISA Zimbabwe’s push for self-regulation is thus defined by the restrictive legislative environment.
Media law reform news from our chapters
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...
Media 2022 Accreditation Fees set
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) with the approval of the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has set the 2022 media accreditation fees. The new fees are stipulated in terms of Statutory Instrument 65 of 2022, which sets the fees in United...
State of the Media 2021 report now available!
MISA Zimbabwe would like to announce the publication of the 2021 state of the media report which takes a look at the media landscape and operating environment with regards to freedom of expression, access to information, digital rights, media sustainability and media...
Government progress update on two proposed media laws
The government is working on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill and a Zimbabwe Media Practitioners’ Bill which it says will go a long way in democratising the media operating environment. The two proposed laws are expected to be handed over to the...
Dual accreditation inconvenient burdensome cost for media practitioners
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission recently invited applications from observers and the media for accreditation for the upcoming by-elections which should be submitted no later than 22 March 2022. The accreditation fees were set as follows: Local observers- USD10,00 or...