endorsement of the Harmonised Elections Media Code of Conduct Pledge 2023 in Bulawayo on August 10, 2023. The Pledge was endorsed by the Government of Zimbabwe, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana. He signed the pledge on behalf of the then Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa. The three political parties with a parliamentary presence, namely Zanu PF, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC T) and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), also endorsed the pledge. The ruling party was represented by its Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs, Honourable Fortune Chasi, while the MDC T and CCC were represented by Deputy President, Honourable Paurina Mpariwa, and Deputy Secretary for Elections, Ellen Shiriyedenga, respectively. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s endorsement was made by Inspector Abednico Ncube, representing National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi. Executive Secretary, Godwin Phiri, endorsed the pledge on behalf of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC). Speaking at the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary Mangwana hailed the media for taking such a bold step in covering critical national processes like elections. “The values captured in this pledge and commitment are very noble. As the government, we endorse and take a cue from the industry as it seeks to adhere to the highest ethical standards and professionalism in such critical national processes.” During the year under review, MISA Zimbabwe partnered with the ZMC. It invested in capacity-building initiatives to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills to utilise the Freedom of Information Act to exercise their right to access information. In that regard, the Commission was at hand to assist with the training and clarify legal issues. As a result, more than 60 CBOs have been trained through the MISA Zimbabwe-ZMC partnership. For instance, in its final report, the EU Election Observer Mission said the work by MISA and other CSOs in sensitising the police on the journalists’ work had been fruitful with no cases of harassment of journalists by the security forces reported during the EU EOM’s presence (visit page 21 of the report). 8