SECTOR 1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is effectively protected and promoted. 1.1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is guaranteed in the Constitution and supported by other pieces of legislation. Zimbabwe’s new constitution (Act 20 of 2013) guarantees freedom of expression and of the media in Chapter 4 under ‘Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms’. Article 61(1) of this chapter states that: (1) Every person has the right to freedom of expression, which includes— (a) freedom to seek, receive and communicate ideas and other information; (b) freedom of artistic expression and scientific research and creativity; and (c) academic freedom. With respect to freedom of the media, Article 61(2) states: (2) Every person is entitled to freedom of the media, which freedom includes protection of the confidentiality of journalists’ sources of information. Although these freedoms are guaranteed in the constitution, they are not fully supported by other pieces of legislation, which are yet to be aligned with the new constitution. On the contrary, several existing laws “take away from the real exercise of freedom of expression.” “Section 61 conflicts with other legislation such as the AIPPA (Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act) and POSA (Public Order and Security Act), and there have been no deliberate efforts to align.” “There’s merely been talk of harmonising supporting legislation with the Constitution. But it’s all talk, and no real action.” No timeframe has been set for the harmonisation of these laws to take place. A panellist remarked that it was important that a distinction be made between ‘constitution’ and ‘constitutionalism’. “We have a brilliant constitution with a beautiful bill of rights, but the extent to which these freedoms are enjoyed by citizens is a different thing altogether. We might cry foul that the laws need to be aligned and so on, but the biggest worry is that the powers that be should guarantee citizens adherence to the constitution.” Despite the fact that Section 2 of the constitution guarantees the supremacy of the constitution, “the mere presence of statutes that conflict with the constitution 12 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015