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
Regional governments commit to more openness as MISA launches press freedom report
MISA Regional launched the third State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa Report on 11 May 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia, where government officials from four regional countries agreed to closely co-operate with civil society organisations in improving freedom of expression...
The State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa Report 2022 ( Now Available)
FOREWORD SHAPING A FUTURE OF RIGHTS: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AS THE DRIVER OF ALL OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS THE past few years have proven to be tough where it concerns the exercise and enjoyment of media freedom and freedom of expression in the Southern African region. The...
MISA Zimbabwe 2022 State of the Media Report (Now Available)
Introduction As the year under review drew to a close, Zimbabwe hosted the belated commemorations of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in the resort town of Victoria Falls on 11 -12 November 2022. The event, which coincided with the...
World Press Freedom Day Commemorations – 30 years on!
MISA retrospect and the future of expression in the age of fragmentation! By Tabani Moyo This year marks significant milestones on two fronts as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) and the 75th anniversary of the Universal...
Freedom of expression key to enjoyment of other fundamental rights
In celebrating this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), UNESCO notes that media freedom, the safety of journalists and freedom of expression have been under attack, thereby impacting the realisation of other human rights. This also comes at a time when...