media operating environment ahead of and beyond the 2023 elections. outcome During the meeting with the Zanu PF leadership on 23 May 2023, Secretary General Dr Obert Mpofu said Zanu PF was committed to the safety of journalists and did not condone the criminal harassment of journalists or the confiscation of their equipment. He said that if such incidents occur journalists should report them to the police. CCC leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa said there was a need to transform ZBC into a public broadcaster to ensure it gives fair and balanced reportage for all political interests. REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL FOORPRINTS Panel discussion on legal threats to safety of journalists MISA Regional Director Dr Tabani Moyo made a presentation at the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commission Panel Discussion on Legal Threats to Safety of Journalists in commemoration of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Dr Moyo made the presentation which was hosted in Geneva, Switzerland, virtually on 2 November 2023. https://misa.org/blog/international-day-to-end-impunity-for-crimes-against-journalists-statement/ In his presentation, he noted that civic space has generally been shrinking in Southern Africa, with attacks on journalists and civil society becoming less overt and more subtle, and more so through online attacks on journalists. recommendations • Domestication of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists so that the safety of journalists is guaranteed by law. • Ensure that regional and international best practices inform the cybersecurity regulation. • • Investigate and hold to account the perpetrators of attacks on journalists. Be transparent in how surveillance is used, and this should always be with judicial oversight. World Press Freedom Day Commemorations On 6 May 2023, MISA Zimbabwe convened belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations in Chinhoyi, Gwanda, Gweru, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Mutare and Harare . A total of 219 participants attended the meetings of which 131 were male, 88 female and 104 youths. Community Based Organisations participated in the meetings and they were made aware of access to information laws and other laws that affect freedom of expression such as the Cyber and Data Protection Act. 20 MISA Zimbabwe Annual Report 2023