Zimbabwe

More than 170 organizations from over 60 countries that make up the #KeepitOn Coalition reacted to a reported internet shutdown in Zimbabwe.

MISA Zimbabwe has written to the Speaker of Parliament expressing its concern over the use of facial recognition equipment being used on roads in the absence of adequate and clear data privacy legislation.

Journalists in Zimbabwe continue to push for the reform of oppressive media laws and a freer media environment following the violent aftermath of the first general election in the country since Robert Mugabe’s 37-year-long regime ended last year.

A group of well organised youth attacked vendors and burnt newspapers that are part of the privately owned Zimbabwean Alpha Media Holdings stable.

As the Zimbabwean public grapples to understand the implications of the government’s monetary policy statement announced on 1 October, MISA Zimbabwe explains how the mobile money transfer tax hike will infringe on citizens’ digital rights.

On 30 July, Zimbabweans went to the polls. Afterwards, tensions simmered and then erupted. In the final entry in her 6-part series of blog posts, Reyhana Masters looked at how hope turned to despair, following a military crackdown and attacks on journalists.

Attacks on journalists multiply ahead of milestone general election

Two specific incidents in Zimbabwe’s pre-election period, highlight the lack of protection and privacy of citizen’s personal information and the need for personal data protection instead of laws restricting freedom of expression.

Media practitioners in Zimbabwe can use MISA-Zimbabwe’s JournoSOS app to send records of violations such as assault, censorship, detention, expulsion and threats – whenever they occur.

In a letter addressed to the Southern African Development Community, MISA Zimbabwe highlighted the lack of progress in implementing media reforms recommended by the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) post the 2013 elections.

The Zimbabwe Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa is opposing the proposal by the country’s Minister of Information, Communication and Technology’s to merge three cyberbills into one.

After a military intervention ended the 37-year rule of autocratic former President Robert Mugabe, journalists and media experts in Zimbabwe say it is still too early to tell whether the political transition will ultimately herald a more open environment for the press.

While the minister said the new board had been entrusted with safeguarding people’s rights and trusts, this can only be achieved by amending or repealing offensive sections of the act which are inconsistent with the country’s 2013 Constitution.

Comrade Fatso, the co-founder of the Magamba Network, reflects on how satire, hip hop and youth activism are paving the way for democracy in Zimbabwe.

As world leaders increasingly adopt Trump’s rhetoric on media, it is more important than ever for courts to protect “negative”, “horrible” or “critical” journalists — for that is part of their function.

One of President Mugabe’s most influential critics was arrested at the airport and charged with “subverting a constitutional government”.