MISA ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Chairperson’s Report The year under review was one of the most eventful, both in terms of progress and negative outcomes in the context of the operating environment, and as viewed in the context of our work as a media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information lobby and advocacy organisation. Undoubtedly, one of the major challenges was the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic of which Zimbabwe was not spared resulting in the country imposing its first lockdown measures at the end of March 2020. MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson Golden Maunganidze ‘‘ Undoubtedly, one of the major challenges was the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic of which Zimbabwe was not spared resulting in the country imposing its first lockdown measures at the end of March 2020. This necessitated the modification of programming, with some of the planned activities having to be undertaken online/virtually, while some had to be deferred due to the restrictions on movements and the number of people that could gather for given meetings. Engagement meetings with grassroots organisations had to be deferred in some instances as they could not proceed virtually due to limited access to the internet in Zimbabwe’s remote and marginalised communities. I am, however, happy to report that, we nonetheless, managed to stay the course in meeting our set targets, despite the COVID-19 challenges – thanks to the dexterity of our Secretariat and Advocacy Committees throughout the country. Our programming and outreach activities were thus hinged on the ongoing media policy and law reforms 1 https://zimbabwe.misa.org