MISA Regional Annual Report 2023 Operating Environment During the year under review, Zimbabwe held its general elections on August 23 and 24, 2023. Increased incidents of media freedom violations generally marred previous elections in Zimbabwe. These violations involve the unlawful arrests, assaults, and harassment of journalists by state and nonstate actors, such as supporters of political parties. Such violations impede the media from freely fulfilling its mandate during elections, compromising citizens’ ability to access information that enables them to make informed decisions and choices. Therefore, the safety and security of journalists are paramount. On the other hand, election periods throughout the world thrust immense responsibility on the media to provide the public with accurate information that will enable the electorate to make informed decisions and choices when they eventually cast their votes. In Zimbabwe, freedom of expression and that of the media are protected by Section 61 of the Constitution, which stresses that freedom of expression and media freedom exclude, among other things, incitement to violence, advocacy of hatred, and hate speech. The right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media should also be read in tandem with Section 62 on access to information, which states that the media has the right to access information held by the State or by any institution or agency of government at every level. Country Reports Snapshots This right is guaranteed as far as the information is required in the interests of public accountability or the exercise or protection of a right. Section 160G (1) of the Electoral Act states that public broadcasters shall afford all political parties and independent candidates contesting an election free access to their broadcasting services as prescribed. Further, the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections outlines, among other principles, the need for member states to promote the necessary conditions to foster transparency, freedom of the media, access to information by all citizens, and equal opportunities for all candidates and political parties to use the State media. Successes Free and unhindered media is critical in disseminating information that triggers citizen participation in governance issues for informed choices and decisions on issues that affect their daily lives. It is with that in mind that MISA Zimbabwe, in conjunction with key stakeholders, took various steps and interventions to secure a conducive media operating environment ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2023 harmonised elections, resulting in the vastly improved safety and security environment for the country’s journalists and media workers. Engagement meetings were held with critical stakeholders to secure a conducive media operating environment before the 2023 elections. 45