SECTOR 1 1.3 There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of media. Analysis: Zimbabwe has laws in place that take away the little freedom of expression that the constitution allows. The establishment of the Inclusive Government has brought about only very slight changes. Amendments to pieces of legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) or the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) are piecemeal and have either not brought any material changes to the operating environment or in fact extended the lifespan of such repressive laws. Certain sections of POSA have been amended. Appeals against the banning of a march, for example, are no longer decided by the executive but by a magistrate’s court. On the other hand, there is now a general ban on demonstrations outside Parliament, the courts and other public institutions. An addition to the Act requires submission of more detailed information before a meeting or march can be held. Names of the convenor and deputy convenor now have to be provided to the police. This allows the authorities to arrest and charge individuals whereas before organisations as a whole were charged. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act 2004 is the most threatening piece of legislation regarding freedom of expression. It is regarded as the “mother of all repressive acts” because it introduced even harsher penalties than those provided for under POSA and AIPPA. Like POSA it forbids the publication or communication of “false statements prejudicial to the state” (section 31). Although the provision directly targets journalists and the mass media, its ambit is wide enough to include citizens generally. A convicted offender can be jailed for a term of up to 20 years. According to section 33 of the Act, a person is guilty of undermining the authority of or insulting the President if they publicly make a statement by words, by an act or by a gesture that will “(i) engender feelings of hostility towards; or (ii) cause hatred, contempt or ridicule of the President or an acting President, whether in person or in respect of his office …”. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2010 17