Reporting Elections, Safety and Security of Journalists role is to “enlighten and sustain” democracy.” But they caution that it is not an easy job: “Covering elections presents a big challenge to the media, especially in developing countries where the average age in the newsroom has dropped significantly. Tight deadlines, knowledge of relevant legislation, the political players and process, adherence to the basic ethics and increasingly questions of personal safety all pile pressure on the media.” In the case of Zimbabwe, journalists must familiarise with laws and regulations governing or likely to have an impact on their work such as the the electoral system, and: • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Zimbabwe Electoral Acts and any proposed legislation Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act (ZEC Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC Interception of Communications Act Maintenance of Public Order (MOPA) Citizen laws SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections Miscellaneous Offences Act Freedom of Information Act Delimitation reports ZEC Regulations on the conduct of the media, political parties, etc Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Cyber and Data Protection Act 9