Internet Governance/Freedom of Ex pression/Access to Information Access to Information The theme for the 2022 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI): Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information, was timely in the Zimbabwean context when viewed against the backdrop of the enactment of the Cyber and Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Regulations and launching of several digitisation and digitalisation initiatives. These, among others, include the launch of National Data Centres, digitisation of the judiciary and plans for the digitisation of the education sector. The introduction of e-services such as the e-visa, e-passport, tele-medicine platform, e-learning and the e-government portal, are also progressive in that regard. In addition, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), the government has been establishing Community Information Centres (CICs) and providing computers to rural schools through the Connect a School, Connect a Community programme. As highlighted by UNESCO, access to information plays an important role in development, democracy, and equality. The government should therefore ensure the functionality of websites on the official Zimbabwe Government Web Portal (Government Web Portal) through the provision of updated information. Internet Access/Governance It is increasingly becoming an undeniable fact in this digital era, that internet access is enables and enhances the exercise and enjoyment of fundamental rights as it impacts every facet of our society, including the health sector, as was demonstrated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also equally impacts the education, business and justice sectors as realised with the launch in Zimbabwe of the second phase of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System, among other sectors. However, internet access continues to be a challenge for the majority of ordinary Zimbabweans, thereby widening the digital divide based on economic status and location – as evidenced by the rural-to-urban divide where it concerns internet accessibility and affordability. This is evidenced by the incessant public outcries concerning the cost of data as data tariffs continue to be increased while services remain poor. In other instances, and due to poor quality of service, data bundles are depleting before consumers are able to utilise the purchased data. State of the Media Report 17