on the Principles of Freedom of Expression in Africa, among others. A diverse, free and unhindered media as envisaged under the Windhoek Declaration is critical to the democratisation process, peace, stability and economic development especially in the Zimbabwean context where urgent solutions are required to deal with the economic meltdown. MISA-Zimbabwe’s theme for the World Press Freedom Day celebrations, Media Freedom Remains on the Agenda. We Demand a Constitution that Protects Media Freedom, was therefore well-considered and realistically framed in the context and realisation that only an independent, free and pluralistic media can effectively play its role in democratic processes that inform national reconstruction and healing. It is only through a constitutional provision that explicitly and unequivocally protects media freedom that the media will be firmly anchored and positioned to undertake its ethical and responsible obligations of informing the citizenry without fear of falling foul of AIPPA, POSA, BSA, Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Interception of Communications Act and any other nefarious laws intended to suppress media freedom and freedom of expression, association and assembly. A constitutional provision guaranteeing media freedom and the right to access information will render the obtaining restrictive laws unconstitutional and safeguard against enactment of such legislation in the future. Would-be investors in the print media sector will be guaranteed security on their investments notwithstanding the potential for employment and economic growth. Effectively, media freedom remains on the agenda in so far as adherence to the principles of the Windhoek Declaration is concerned. v Broadcasting and Telecommunications Regulatory Framework On 11 January 2008 President Robert Mugabe signed into law the Amendments to AIPPA, POSA and BSA which had been passed by Parliament in December 2007. The amendments to the BSA for instance were more of an administrative nature as opposed to advancing the principles of the African Charter on Broadcasting. While the responsible minister was stripped of his powers to appoint members of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, the executive still retains immense influence on BAZ thereby compromising its independence. In terms of clause 5 of the amended BSA the appointment functions were transferred to the President who has the power to appoint nine members to the BAZ after consultation with the Minister and Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. Fundamentally the amendments still retain restrictive provisions on issues relating to foreign funding and ownership in the otherwise capital intensive broadcasting sector. In terms of foreign ownership and directorship, this will be decided at the absolute discretion of the Minister without any well defined criteria. The government’s intention through its continued reluctance to repeal or amend certain sections of the BSA to allow for the entry of private players into the broadcasting sector is solely designed to maintain its grip on the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) thus closing the industry to alternative and dissenting voices. This is evidenced by the firing of ZBC chief executive Henry Muradzikwa after the 29 March 2008 elections. 9