STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 ZIMBABWE: MEDIA LAW REFORM AGENDA STALLS AS CIVIC SPACE SHRINKS legal system that has limited freedom of expression as well as the work of the media. The government’s commitment to a legal reform process provides a semblance of a democratic and inclusive process, but recommendations based on local, regional, continental and international human rights standards have largely been ignored. By Lesley Moyo INTRODUCTION T HE environment in Zimbabwe continues to be characterised by a shrinking civic space, which is also evident in the operations of the media sector. This can mostly be attributed to a confining 66 The Cyber and Data Protection Act, the impending Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill, which is awaiting the president’s signature, and the proposed Patriot Bill — which is in essence an amendment to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act — will have the net effect of silencing dissenting voices. Advocates for the amendment to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act say they want the proposed law to punish Zimbabweans who put out “unpatriotic” ideas and statements. If passed, the law will have the potential to stifle press freedom and digital rights and bears testimony to the lack of political will from the government to fully commit to ensuring full enjoyment of these rights.