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
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;...
The 2021 MISA Regional Annual Report is now Available!
This is an snippet from the Chairperson’s Report The year 2021 was one of consolidation and the repositioning of our organisation in the aftermath of the several headwinds that we faced. When we started this journey – midway through 2021 – we dared to dream and our...
The 2021 MISA Zimbabwe Annual report is now available!
Below is an extract from the Chairperson`s report Our 2021 Annual Report comes on the backdrop of significant historical events in the life and existence of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) as a regional outfit, and by extension, MISA Zimbabwe as a member...
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...