M8 NewsDay | Friday December 17 2021 Fearless defence of free speech and media freedom despite adversities BY HENRY MASUKU L OOKING back, it was a time of trials and tribulations. Zimbabwe was on the edge. The media was under siege. The government was pursuing journalists. Seasoned scribes who stood up to the current government were scattered all over the world. There we were,unrelenting and vigilant, with the remaining journalists, under siege, prepared to protect and tell the Zimbabwean story. In January 2004, I walked into the MISA Zimbabwe offices along McChlery drive in Harare. I was not really sure of what I was going to be doing and who I would be working with. This was to become the greatest time for my journalism training in Zimbabwe. Leading the pack was Dr Sarah Chiumbu. What a visionary and iconic iron lady who chose to stand against the regime at a time when doing so was volatile and unheard of. Leading the information desk was Rashweat Mukundu, a vociferous fellow who spoke his mind and led the dissemination of the Zimbabwean story without fear. In the advocacy department stood a gigantic, fearless maverick, Takura Zhangazha, who mentored me to become the journalist that I am today. Not forgetting Annie Musemburi - Musodza, who I regard as the face of MISA Zimbabwe. During this volatile era, she carried out her administration work with boldness and clarity. Well, the first days were not so remarkable. I was the first Intern at Misa and I cherish that forever. The team didn’t quite know exactly what to do with me. I was almost everywhere. At one time in the advocacy department, another in the information office, and another , at the front desk. Occasionally I was asked to practise my culinary skills in the kitchen. I excelled in all departments. The (empty) plates testified to this when I took them for washing. Journalists were under siege. Week in week out, we were at the courts in support of journalists arrested on frivolous charges. Even today, the regime still hounds journalists who do not follow their narrative. That is why Zimbabwe is where it is today, with no economic development and a largely subverted Constitution. The Zimbabwean story is still muffled, fear persists among journalists and as long as this subsists, reforms consistent with democratic values remain a mirage. During that time, Misa Zimbabwe managed to defend journalists through legal representations, moral support and financial assistance to ensure that they remained focused in their mandate. We conducted workshops to empower them with skills that were critical for such a time. It was a difficult time and journalists were under immense pressure to tell the Zimbabwean story against all odds. Personally, I appreciate my time at the organisation. After my internship, which was very much appreciated by the whole team as evidenced by the farewell dinner and kind encouraging words from the team, I set forth to make a difference in my own way. Although I remained so much in touch with the team and the overlapping activities in my subsequent endeavors, what prompted my advocacy skills was the fire ignited at MISA Zimbabwe. Going on to lead the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS), as the national director, revealed to me that MISA Zimbabwe had raised a giant who could defend people’s voices fearlessly with intellectual acuity. It’s over a decade that I have left MISA Zimbabwe, and when I look back, I cherish the work that was done by the team which subsequently took over the great mission. The team has not relented in standing for what is right in terms of media freedom and access to information. That MISA Zimbabwe still remains in this fight proves that the mandate was and is still legitimate, people-centered and on the course to accomplish what it represents. I went on to become an international freelance journalist. My eyes were opened beyond the hills. I wanted to see yonder. I left for North America where I am now. Looking back, it was indeed a time of turmoil. The team at MISA Zimbabwe are at the centre of the defence of the fourth estate. A lot needs to be done in Zimbabwe in terms of freedom of expression and access to information. But this comes at a price. But the battle continues, albeit in new dimensions brought by social media. Journalism remains a noble profession, and those who remain to tell the true Zimbabwean story deserve a pat on the back. Well done Comrades. Happy 25 years of existence. Keep the fire burning. Aluta Continua! ________________________________ Henry Masuku is a former intern with MISA Zimbabwe and freelance journalist based in North America. MISA Zimbabwe media giant that has stood the test of time BY HILTON ZVIDZAI A very happy 25th anniversary to the Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA Zimbabwe). We celebrate Zimbabwe and southern Africa’s media advocacy giant that has stood the test of time and politically inspired propaganda. Your immense contribution to the fight for press freedom, freedom of expression and a professional media is acknowledged. I joined MISA Zimbabwe as an intern between August 2005 and August 2006 during my third year of studies for a journalism degree with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Joining the organisation was a scary move that was forced on me by the then chairperson of our department at university. My arguments and opinions around the media law course at varsity led to the forced internships. “If you don’t undertake your internship at MISA it’s as good as dropping out of the degree programme,” the chairperson warned. I remember the propaganda that had been spewed by senior government officials and ministers denigrating the organisation and its work. One minister said: “Don’t give me the MISA Zimbabwe Chapter, I want to deal with the whole book.” This made me uncomfortable. Joining MISA Zimbabwe was as good as taking a raging bull by the horns. A few months down the line it was a whole different story. Nyasha “Mukanya” Nyakunu, made me read extensively on the mandate and work of the organisation. Readings included books on media law, state of the media reports, among many other publications. I became an advocate of media freedom and wanted to play my part. Thorough understanding (of the mandate), turned this previously terrified person into an advocate of media freedom. The passion and drive for press freedom positioned me amongst the team that was driving the agenda of media self-regulation. We traversed the length and breadth of Zimbabwe together with Mukanya, Mathew Takaona (then Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president), and the late Sekuru Paul Zaru (MISA Zimbabwe driver, now deceased), raising awareness and charming the media fraternity and civil society to support the process that culminated in the establishment of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe through the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe. We did rounds that took us on long dis- tances such as the Harare-BulawayoMasvingo-Mutare –Harare trips. We toured the country, made friends and recorded pleasant experiences. I was respected despite my age and position and was afforded opportunities to address some meetings as part of my training. During my internship – Mukanya always made sure my writing was flowery. He always reminded me: “Hillaz mfanami (my young men) don’t just tell the story, people should also be able to visualise the story through your language.” Wilbert “Big Guy” Mandinde, taught me the art of analysis; Annie “Madam Admin” Musodza, taught me how to belong; Joseph “Mujoza” Makiyi, taught me to realise that everyone is important. Takura “Zheng” Zhangazha, taught me to be a free spirit while being effective and Rashweat “Chief ” Mukundu, taught me the importance of impact through strong networks. The whole team taught me love, respect and to be a member of a family. On the social scene, Zheng’s words at my bachelors’ party still remain relevant. Yes, he came to the party years after I had left MISA Zimbabwe and spoke words that still keep my marriage on fire. I will leave this one here. Way before getting married, Annie and Wilbert knew my girlfriend and encouraged us until we walked down the aisle. Annie and Koliwe Majama were there at our wedding, cheering and dancing years after I had left MISA Zimbabwe. We have become family beyond the professional spaces. Today, I’ve become a seasoned communication specialist who has made impact across Africa with international organisations - thanks to the immense efforts and guidance from these wonderful colleagues who groomed me while I was at MISA Zimbabwe. The grooming was just spot on. Thanks to MISA Zimbabwe, I was only unemployed for just a week after university. Abigail Gamanya, whom I had interacted with during my internship, snapped me and I joined the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe. That’s another beautiful story to be told on another day. I am happily married with three awesome kids. Every now and then, I do return to my home, MISA Zimbabwe, to say hello to family, and sometimes to show off the success that I’ve become. The team always allows me to feel at home. HAPPY 25th. ___________________________________ Hilton Zvidzai is a communication specialist and a former intern with MISA Zimbabwe. From an average student to upper class and distinctions From page M7 hands each year. God bless her. After my under-graduate degree, I worked for a development organisation in Bindura that works with young women before I left to pursue my post-graduate studies with the National University of Science and Technology. Currently, I am working as an Advocacy and Peacebuilding Officer, for a development organisation that mobilises the Christian community to participate in national processes and also advocates for the rights of communities. The organisation capacitates communities to hold duty bearers to account so that citizens may enjoy their God given rights, as well as promoting peace, unity, and justice. With the advent of the global Cov- id-19 pandemic, the right to access information has become of paramount importance. The enjoyment of this right in the wake of the pandemic and declining economic capital of the ordinary citizen is key in rebuilding economies. MISA Zimbabwe must continue to engage the government to ensure that policies allow for citizens to fully access information and ultimately be able to make decisions that include, but are not limited to their wellbeing. MISA Zimbabwe must continue to push the government of Zimbabwe to consider issuing of more broadcasting licenses in a manner that is transparent and fair. By the end of September 2021, Zimbabwe now had 14 licenced community radio stations and six television stations covering nearly all the prov- inces in Zimbabwe. There has been an increase of mobile and internet accessibility in Zimbabwe. According to POTRAZ, 8,726,904 people had access to the internet and there were 12,783,785 registered mobile lines in Zimbabwe in the third quarter of 2020. Guided by the 2016 Zimbabwe National Policy for Information and Communications Technology, the government is targeting to move the education, health, commercial and business sector to digital platforms. While the opening of the airwaves is a positive development, it is still a major concern whether the content will reflect the voices of ordinary citizens, as there has been a historical trend of intolerance from authorities. The high costs of data and devices also continues to affect citizens from participating using these new media opportunities, hence institutions such as MISA Zimbabwe still have a pivotal role to play before we can truly say the media landscape is free, fair, and accessible to the public. MISA Zimbabwe must therefore continue to engage relevant authorities to provide citizens with the choice to access readily available information from multiple sources. Happy anniversary MISA Zimbabwe. ____________________________________ Lynette Dube is a former intern with MISA Zimbabwe and is currently employed as an advocacy and peacebuilding officer with a development organisation that mobilises the Christian community to participate in national processes.