RESULTS PRIVACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS Fifty-seven per cent of the respondents are aware of privacy laws in their country while 43% are not. Although the majority answered in the affirmative, their understanding – as suggested by their responses – is not very comprehensive. While few were able to articulate the meaning and the contextual use of these laws in their individual countries, many gave definitions that indicate that either privacy laws are not clearly observed/understood in most countries. Some simply saw them as laws designed as tools for governments to oppress the people and not to actually enhance privacy. ACCESS TO DIGITAL HARDWARE/ ICT’S The accessibility of digital equipment to media practitioners in Africa has greatly improved over the years. All of the respondents use computers, the Internet and a range of digital tools/mobile devices in executing their duties. Forty-three per cent rated their ability to use these devices as ‘excellent’ and 44% as very good. Only 13% considered their skills ‘fair’ while 1% rated them as poor. There is a range of different digital equipment in use, with laptops and mobile phones proving to be popular, undoubtedly due to their portability. For example, while the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) in Zimbabwe speaks to the issue of privacy, the government has consistently used the law to stop journalists from doing their work freely, so much so that the entire law, rather than only some specific section, is viewed as being inconsistent with democratic practice and the right to freedom of expression and media freedom. On understanding their respective human rights frameworks (human rights law, institutions etc.) 52% said they were familiar with these while 36% said they are slightly familiar. Nine per cent were not at all familiar with the frameworks. Overall, the impact of digital media equipment use has been very high, with almost all the respondents citing improved efficiency in their work. The use of such equipment has also inevitably improved how that work reaches its targeted audience. In addition, networking opportunities have been enhanced across borders. One respondent: “Digital and mobile tools have transformed my own journalism and editing practice, as well as my activism around media issues, by enabling rapid reporting, collaborative reporting, and networked discovery and dissemination of information and ideas.” Familiarity with Human Rights Law 7