MISA-Zimbabwe
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State of the Media Report 2008
In the Report:
Introduction
Media Environment
Print Media
Broadcasting/Telecommunications
Conclusion
Media Violations Statistics: 2007

v Introduction
In its State of the Media Report for 2007, MISA Zimbabwe noted that the media environment in
Zimbabwe remained tenuous and inimical to media freedom as well as freedom of expression.
In the same period that was then under review, Zimbabwe’s political and economic
environment had deteriorated to the extent that it warranted the intervention of the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) through a mediation process that was to see the
main political parties in Zimbabwe negotiate a Constitutional Amendment Number 18 in lieu of
elections that were scheduled for early 2008. In the immediate aftermath of this amendment,
the political parties also agreed to amend three of the most infamous media laws in SADC,
these being, The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Broadcasting
Services Act and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) in tandem with the Electoral Act.
Indeed, as with any mediated process, there was hope and anticipation not only on the part of
the Zimbabwean people but also in particular, its media fraternity that these amendments
would yield democratic reforms to the regulation of the media, not only just for the elections
scheduled for March 2008, but beyond. With the benefit of hindsight, and as this State of the
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