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
AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER An analysis of trends in AMBs for 28 countries over 11 years
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Welcome remarks to 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists Africa Commemorations
Regional Governing Council member, Father, Dr. Barnabas Simatende, OMI Welcome remarks to 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists Africa Commemorations 11 November 2022 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe The Minister of...
Worrying increase in cases of impunity for crimes against journalists
This year’s commemorations of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) come at a time when Zimbabwe is witnessing a worrying increase in the number of cases involving the assault of journalists at political rallies and gatherings....
Walking in the footprints of a giant – tribute to former RGC member Fernando Gonçalves on leadership transition
Regional Governing Council Chairperson, Golden Maunganidze 18 August 2022 Walking in the footprints of a giant – tribute to former RGC member Fernando Gonçalves on leadership transition. Maputo Mozambique MISA Mozambique NGC Chairperson, Jeremias Langa; MISA...
MISA Zimbabwe and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe Communique on the Draft Media Practitioners Bill
The process of effecting the principle of co-regulation of the media in Zimbabwe as part of the broad legal reforms went a gear up with stakeholders engaging the Ministries of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Information, Publicity and Broadcastings Services;...