1 SOUTHERN AFRICA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2019-2020 ENABLING A FREE, INDEPENDENT PLURALISTIC MEDIA Journalists remain the major drivers and vehicles for advancing access to development information for the achievement of Agenda 2030 and AU Agenda 2063 (1) (The Africa we want) (2). AU Agenda 2063 sync with the 2014 Bali Road Map which advocated for the roles of the media in realising the future we want for all, The Bali Road Map (3) further recognised that peace and sustainable development increasingly depends on the participation of informed people, which requires a free flow of information and knowledge, and that this in turn depends on freedom of expression on all media platforms; the Road Map also affirmed the potential role of the media in underpinning how a country shapes development, sharing ideas and innovations, and holding powerful actors to account. The Road Map further stresses that this can only be realised where the media is free, pluralistic and independent and where there is safety for actors producing journalism. In Southern Africa, SADC’s Vision for 2050 is for the Community to remain a peaceful and stable region, enabling the further prioritisation, pursuit, and achievement of its objectives of socio-economic development, poverty eradication, and regional integration (4). A free and secure media is needed to support the region in the provision of access to information for socio-economic development, poverty eradication, and regional integration. MISA Zimbabwe reaffirms the crucial role of the media for the SDGs, Agenda 2063 and sustainable development. Access to information is a fundamental right to free expression in Africa as in other parts of the world. However, the safety of journalists and media workers continues to be a huge challenge with increasing reports of attacks such as arbitrary arrest and detention, jailing, physical assault, crippling fines, use of or introduction of laws that are inimical to freedom of expression and even killings, which are used as weapons to silence critical journalism in many countries around the world. Through the Southern Africa Press Freedom Report, MISA Zimbabwe is presenting highlights of violations against journalists and media workers in line with SDG Goals 16.10.1 and 16.10.2.