MISA ANNUAL REPORT 2020 The two-day media symposium introduced participants to the field of disaster risk reduction. The first part of the symposium session focused on defining the basic, but most important, terms in relation to disaster issues. The different elements of disaster risk management and how these different elements contribute to our understanding and better management of risk and disasters was discussed and explained. The journalists also acquired key tools to report on compelling disaster news stories, features and business stories as well as gender mainstreaming the disaster, climate change, renewable energy and nexus issues story. As a result, the media has taken a keen interest in covering disasters, climate change and renewable energy, in addition to other environmental issues. On reporting disasters, emphasis was on finding angles and sources to disaster stories and events. More research to enrich the stories was also emphasized Knowledge Products Journalists are even more constrained in covering disaster stories as most of them do not understand the subject. It is for this reason that MISA Zimbabwe held the symposium to train the media on disasters reporting, including cyclones and the latest COVID-19 global pandemic. Impact Following the training workshops and through MISA Zimbabwe’s monitoring of media coverage of the subject matter, there has been an upsurge in the number of well structured stories on renewable energy and other nexus issues by the mainstream media. The Herald, Zimbabwe Independent and NewsDay have been particularly outstanding in that regard. The symposium achieved a better understanding of reporting on disasters, climate change, renewable energy and nexus issues in an authoritative, and balanced manner among the participating editors and journalists. By the end of the symposium, the participants had learnt about different types of disasters and their impacts to society and economies at large. Also, the participants were able to identify reliable sources, how to interview scientists, project field staff, and government officials. 23 https://zimbabwe.misa.org • Journalism Safety and Security Manual The Manual will serve as a useful resource tool on the safety and security measures that journalists need to employ to minimise risk to life and limb while conducting their lawful professional duties. It also highlights laws that the media should be wary of to avert arrests on accusations of violating the laws at hand. It will also be a critical resource tool that will inform the framing of trainings on journalism safety and security. • Legislation Handbook The handbook which is in the form of graphic illustrations, will be used as an advocacy tool that will make it easy for legislators to appreciate the current state of the media legislative reforms and the steps that need to be taken to align outstanding laws such as the Official Secrets Act, Interception of Communications Act, among others, that have a bearing on the enjoyment of access to information, freedom of expression, media freedom and free expression online. • State of Communities Access to the Media MISA Zimbabwe commissioned research on the State of Access to Media in Rural Communities.