Tag a Life International Trust (TaLI) and Identities Media TV officially launched the “My Freedom of Information” (MFoI) campaign on Thursday the 22nd of July through a high-level dialogue with various media players.
The campaign, inspired by the new Freedom of Information Act which became law after being gazetted following the approval of the final amended version from Parliament by President Mnangagwa in 2020, was a much needed breather especially for journalists, young women and other media practitioners in the country.
The new act has therefore been highly commended as a giant step forward in the reform agenda as it cancels the long-criticised draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
Generally, the act provides that any Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons and the Zimbabwean media has the right of access to any information held by the state or by any institution or agency of government at every level in as far as the information is required in the interests of public accountability.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa said there is a need for mandatory designation of Information Officers in all public and private entities that shall be responsible for handling information requests and disclosure of information to the public.
“The new law provides for the obligation on entities to have a written information disclosure policy. The law also provides for the provision of information in a language requested by the applicant. These practical provisions if well-resourced and are made know to the citizens and journalists, will ensure that citizens enjoy their constitutional freedoms and rights to information, as well as freedom of expression,” she said.
The campaign aims to inform and educate the Zimbabwean community at large on the Freedom of Information Act so that citizens, especially women, girls as well as female journalists may begin to enjoy the law and assert their right to access of information.
The campaign, implemented by TaLI, was greatly supported by the Ministry of Information, Public and Broadcasting Services, the Fojo Media Institute (Fojo), International Media Support (IMS), and was funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe. It officially launched on various social media platforms which included Identities Media TV, TALI, Bus Stop TV, Sly TV etc.
The launch is also expected to air on the national broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) .
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