Paper short abstract:

This study seeks to investigate the impact of media legislations in Zimbabwe on media freedom and the right to information. it looks at AIPPA and how it has affected private media in Zimbabwe.

Paper long abstract:

On 31 January 2000, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill was passed by the Zimbabwe Parliament in spite of severe criticism from the Parliamentary Legal Committee, media and civic organisations and opposition political parties. It was signed into law by President Mugabe on 15 March 2002. Although the Act formally establishes the right to access information (promotes press freedom) concerns has been raised due to the number of media organisations that have been closed by the Act as well as the number of journalists that have been arrested albeit without conviction. Naturally there have been concerns raised on the intents of the Act vis-a-vis its practical uses in Zimbabwe. This study therefore seeks to take a closer look at AIPPA and interrogate its provisions and how these have either limited or expanded press freedom in Zimbabwe. The paper takes a case study approach by looking at the fate of The Daily News that was closed in 2003 under the provisions of AIPPA.