MEDIA OPERATING CONTEXT During the year under review, Zimbabwe held its harmonised elections on 23 -24 August 2023. Previous elections in Zimbabwe were generally marred by increased incidents of media freedom violations. These violations involve the unlawful arrests, assaults, and harassment of journalists by state and non-state actors, such as supporters of political parties. Such violations impede the media from freely fulfilling its mandate during elections, thereby compromising citizens’ ability to access information that enables them to make informed decisions and choices. The safety and security of journalists is therefore of paramount importance in that regard. 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 the media is protected by Section 61, which also stresses that freedom of expression and media freedom excludes, among others, incitement to violence, advocacy of hatred or 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. 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 says public broadcasters shall afford all political parties and independent candidates contesting an election such 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. A free and unhindered media thus plays a critical role 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. Several meetings were held with the police and political parties to secure a conducive media operating environment ahead of the 2023 elections. 5 MISA Zimbabwe Annual Report 2023