ZIMBABWE

WAY FORWARD IN 2018
LAWS AND REGULATIONS

MISA Zimbabwe's recommendations for
improving media freedom, freedom of
expression and access to information
MEDIA PLURALISM

REFORM UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWS RESTRICTING
MEDIA FREEDOM
The government should urgently implement long-overdue
legal reforms by aligning laws that restrict the media with the
constitution. Laws due for reform include the information and
privacy act (AIPPA), the Broadcasting Service Act, the Public
Order and Security Act and sections of the Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act.

LICENSE COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe should call for
applications for community radio stations and license
successful applicants as provided for by the Broadcasting
Service Act.

SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS

CREATE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR
JOURNALISTS
LAWS AND REGULATIONS

IMPLEMENT THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON
DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE
Ahead of the 2018 elections, Zimbabwe should put into effect
the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,
which it signed on 21st March 2018. The charter promotes the
consolidation of democratic governance and human rights in
Africa through the adoption of relevant clauses from the
charter into domestic law and policies.

The government and its security arms, as well as political
parties, should take the lead, within and outside government,
to promote and ensure the safety of journalists and media
workers.

SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS

INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE CRIMES AGAINST
MEDIA PROFESSIONALS
The police should investigate cases involving assaults and
arrests of journalists and bring the culprits to book.

DIGITAL RIGHTS

ENSURE CYBER-CRIMES AND CYBER-SECURITY
LAWS DON'T INFRINGE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES
The government should formulate the cyber-security
framework in line with national and regional principles
protecting privacy of communication, private property and the
right of all citizens to freedom of expression, media freedom
and access to information.

MEDIA INDEPENDENCE

SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS

IMPLEMENT THE POLICE-MEDIA ACTION PLAN
The police and the media should implement the resolutions
and action plans agreed to in December 2017. These aim to
improve the professional working relationship between the
media and the police through agreed work plans and time
frames.

MEDIA ETHICS

TRANSFORM ZBC INTO A TRULY INDEPENDENT
BROADCASTER

TACKLE ISSUES OF MEDIA ETHICS AND MEDIA
CAPTURE

Authorities must ensure citizen participation in a transparent
and democratic appointment process for the Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Corporation board. They also need to secure and
guarantee ZBC's independence and accountability in carrying
out its public service mandate.

The media industry and, in particular, the Zimbabwe National
Editors Forum should address concerns about media capture,
the decline in professional ethics and alleged corruption to
reinforce media freedom, professionalism and accountability.

MEDIA INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA ZIMBABWE | WAY FORWARD 2018 | ZIMBABWE.MISA.ORG

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