Zimbabwe sees decrease in Media Freedom violations, says MISA

Zimbabwe is on the brink of an improved standing in the World Press Freedom Index rankings, provided the recent positive trend of reduced media freedom violations observed during the 2023 elections persists.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe, in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) on November 2, 2023, noted that the media operating environment during the August elections in Zimbabwe had significantly improved.

MISA Zimbabwe's chairperson, Golden Maunganidze, stated, "We call on the government to embrace the UN Plan of Action to demonstrate the nation's commitment to eradicating crimes against journalists. This year's IDEI commemoration focuses on violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership."

These commemorations also aim to address and diminish media violations, which are fundamental to ensuring the exercise of freedom of expression and the unimpeded flow of information.

Maunganidze emphasized, "The substantial reduction in media freedom violations during Zimbabwe's 2023 election cycle is a noteworthy development, aligning with the global commemoration on November 2, 2023."

He further stated that adopting and incorporating the United Nations Plan of Action (UNPA) on the Safety of Journalists into the country's legislative framework would be a decisive step towards ending impunity for crimes against journalists and advancing media freedom.

In Zimbabwe's case, the groundwork for public leadership's role in ending crimes against journalists was demonstrated in the pre-election and post-2023 election period through the implementation of the Police-Media Action Plan established in December 2017. This plan resulted from discussions between media organizations led by MISA Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, aiming to create a safe and conducive working environment for journalists.

In Zimbabwe, crimes against journalists and media professionals tend to surge during election cycles, often involving law enforcement agencies and political parties. These violations encompass illegal arrests, assaults, and harassment of journalists by both state and non-state actors, including political party supporters.

Maunganidze explained, "In line with the Police-Media Action Plan, MISA Zimbabwe, along with key stakeholders, took various steps and interventions before Zimbabwe's 2023 harmonized elections. Nationwide engagement meetings were held, involving the police, media, and political parties, while the government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe media operating environment during the elections. These efforts led to a significantly improved safety and security environment for the country's journalists and media workers."

He continued, "In the period following these meetings and the holding of the 2023 Zimbabwean elections on August 23, 2023, typically marked by increased media freedom violations, only three violations involving political actors were recorded. No media violations involving the police or other state security forces were reported during this period. We urge the police to thoroughly investigate all reported cases of journalist assault or harassment."

On this day, the United States (US) government reaffirmed its dedication to supporting an open and free press globally, underscoring the importance of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

"We call on other governments to join us in condemning threats, harassment, and violence targeting journalists and media workers; and holding accountable those who attack press freedom – online and offline. #EndImpunity."