MISA ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Internet Governance and Digital Rights Stakeholder Governance Forum The Multi-stakeholder Internet Governance Forum has been held annually since 2015. The 2020 event came against the backdrop of the gazetting of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill with its provisions that have far reaching effects on the exercise of rights. It also came on the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which created a greater need for reliance on the internet for work, education and even the communication of COVID-19 information. Subsequently, there were growing concern with the cost of data and calls for the reduction of data tariffs, as highlighted by the #DataMustFallcampaign. The COVID-19 outbreak, which saw most people working remotely from their homes, heightened the need for the internet to be more affordable and accessible to the generality of the population. Impact The event thus assisted in: • Creating a platform for discussions on key and current issues in Zimbabwe and the region in relation to internet governance. • Promote inclusive dialogue among different stakeholders, ranging from the regulators and policy makers, service providers, internet users and human rights activists. • Explore mechanisms that can be put in place to promote democratic internet governance in Zimbabwe. ‘‘ The2020 event came against the backdrop of the gazetting of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill with its provisions that have far reaching effects on the exercise of rights. 9 https://zimbabwe.misa.org