Parliamentary debates on the Bill should be further guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 16), which outlines initiatives to adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information. It is MISA Zimbabwe’s well-considered view that a democratic access to information law underpinned by requisite infrastructure and technology development is key to unlocking the country’s socio-economic potential. This is critical when viewed against SDG 2 on investment in rural infrastructure and technology development to build knowledgeable and informed societies. Access to information and knowledge, free expression (online and offline), respect for cultural and linguistic diversity and quality education for all, are key pillars in building knowledge societies. According to the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), adoption of democratic freedom of and/access to information laws, has been a global trend during the last 10 years. As of 2019 more than 120 countries had put in place the required access to information legal frameworks. Zimbabwe cannot, therefore, continue to lag behind other progressive nations. While the alignment of media, freedom of expression and access to information with the country’s supreme law has been outstanding for years, the crux of such initiatives should be underpinned by implementation and adherence to the constitution and the dictates of the envisaged laws. This entails creating the democratic space for the enjoyment of fundamental rights and curbing the unlawful arrests and harassment of citizens exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights by bringing perpetrators to account. Cases such as the reported assault and abduction of BUSTOP TV comedienne Samantha Kureya by unidentified armed men from her home in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mufakose, only serve to dent the country’s human rights record. The armed and masked men reportedly forced their way into the house around 10 pm and assaulted Kureya’s family members as well, including minors. Her brother filed a police report at Marimba Police station. The report number is RRB 4149688. 15