03 May 2023
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) joins the world in
commemorating World Press Freedom Day, an occasion to celebrate the achievements of the media in Zimbabwe while focusing attention on areas requiring further action to develop and further grow the seeds of press freedom in our country.
Freedom of expression and freedom of the media is one of the
fundamental human rights as stated in Section 61 of the Zimbabwe Constitution, giving journalists and every other person the right to seek, receive and communicate without fear of imprisonment or intimidation.
To this end, ZUJ acknowledges the achievements made by the country in the media industry, notably the opening of the media space, especially relating to the liberalisation of the airwaves that has resulted in the establishment of 14 community radio stations, 10 licenced regional and provincial commercial radio stations and 6 campus radio stations.
However, despite government’s expressed commitment to improving fundamental issues to do with freedom of expression and access to information, the situation on the ground remains shaky which is a source of serious concern.
While government repealed the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and replaced it by what seems to be a more media friendly law, the Freedom of Information Act, the Union is worried that the repealed law’s residue continues to linger in both the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act amendment bill.
Journalists and members of the public still struggle to access
information from government ministries and agencies, including
parastatals although the Freedom of Information Act was enacted to curb such tendencies and enhance public accountability.
In fact, the enactment of the Cyber and Data Protection Act in 2021, which criminalises the publication of falsehoods under Section 164C, and the gazetting of the Private Voluntary Organisations Bill have the potential to torpedo the public’s fundamental rights relating to freedom of expression, association and privacy.
Also safety and security of journalists remain in peril, especially as the country heads towards this year’s elections. At least five
journalists/media practitioners have either been assaulted or
ill-treated at rallies held by Zimbabwe’s main political parties in
the recent past. Three other journalists have been charged with
publishing of falsehoods, under Section 31 of the Criminal law
(Codification and Reform Act).
And only last month, journalists from one media house were threatened (by a supposed government official on his twitter handle) with imprisonment for “repeating falsehoods” after the airing of the Gold Mafia documentary on Zimbabwe by a Quatari-based news oulet, Aljezeera.
In spite of these, ZUJ aknowledges the on-going engangements with the Zimbabwe Republic Police by the Union and its media partners to ensure safety and security of journalists, especially in this electoral season.
When Journalism is compromised, human rights cannot be protected. A free media reporting on issues that interest the public and shapes their lives is a key building block of any rights respecting society.
In line with this year’s theme, “Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights”, ZUJ therefore recognizes this nexus between the media and the citizenry and that an informed and knowledgeable society is central to its development, governance and democracy consolidation.
Clearly, the constitutional provision on freedom of expression and that of the media on its own will not be enough to enhance the enjoyment of this right. There needs to be political will and a change of mindsets.
ZUJ recognizes the challenges still faced by women in the media
industry. Reports of sexual harassment, mostly against female media practitioners continue to deter women advancement in the media industry.
Against this background, ZUJ urges all media organizations and
stakeholders to work on implementing media policies that help achieve full and productive employment for all journalists in conditions of freedom, equity, security, human dignity and decent salaries.
The issue of salaries of journalists should be seriously looked into so that they are also given a living wage. Media practitioners across the board still earn peanuts which is a threat to the industry itself and its ability to play its role as the fourth estate of the realm.
