Transformation of ZBC from a statecontrolled entity into a truly independent public broadcaster is urgent given its strong bias and partisanship towards Zanu PF, which is afforded more airtime when compared to other political parties. This would also entail the repeal of the Broadcasting Services Act. President Mnangagwa should also ensure the safety and security of journalists conducting their lawful professional duties. Above all, he should be accessible to the media as it fulfills its watchdog role and to ensure that he fosters transparency and accountability. JOURNALIST SAFETY While there was a marked decline in the number of cases involving media violations during the period under review compared to the previous year, the severity of the nature of the violations was cause of great concern. A total of 6 journalists were unlawfully arrested or detained in 2017 compared to 23 journalists the previous year. This marked a decline of almost 74% (73.9%). In 2017, MISA Zimbabwe recorded the specific assault of 8 journalists during the course of their duties compared to the 12 recorded in 2016. The majority of the assaults on journalists on duty were perpetrated by the police, apart from three cases which involved army personnel and ruling Zanu PF youth. This was indeed worrying as this came against the backdrop of the September 2016 meeting between the police and a media delegation led by MISA Zimbabwe when police undertook to ensure the security and safety of journalists. 144 So This is Democracy? 2017 Worried by these wanton acts of lawlessness on the part of the police, Harare-based journalists led by MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson, Kumbirai Mafunda, on 28 July 2017 marched to Harare Central Police Station protesting the assault by the police of three colleagues employed by the privately-owned NewsDay daily newspaper. The Harare-based journalists marched to the police station from the Ambassador Hotel through the central business district following the assault on 27 July 2017 of journalists Obey Manayiti, Shepherd Tozvireva , Abigail Mutsikidze, and their driver, Raphael Phiri. Manayiti sustained a bruised lip and swollen eye while Tozvireva and Phiri were also roughed up by the plain clothes police. Upon arrival at the police station, the journalists requested to meet the officerin-charge. Journalists Blessed Mhlanga and Philemon Jambaya, representing their colleagues, then held a meeting with Inspector Ziburubudu in the presence of MISA Zimbabwe Legal Officer, Farai Nhende. They expressed their joint concern about cases of continued harassment and assault of journalists on duty by the police. On 29 September 2017, journalists Mugove Tafirenyika and Brighton Goko who work for the privately owned Daily News, sustained serious injuries after being assaulted by the police while covering demonstrations in Harare’s central business district. Other cases involve the manhandling of NewsDay senior reporter Richard Chidza by ruling Zanu PF youths who shoved and slapped him at the end of a press conference in Harare on 19 October 2017 demanding that he reveal the source of a story regarding analleged