Regional media advocacy unimaginable without MISA
THERE is so much to think about and to be appreciative of – when looking back at what was – and celebrating what is – 25 years of the Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe Chapter.
For me, the most important thing, is the recognition that the media advocacy landscape of southern Africa is unimaginable without the presence of the various chapters of the MISA.
Together as chapters, the MISA regional network is an institution that is part of the DNA of the region’s freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom terrain.
While the chapters are able to act independently of each other, and focus their programming based on the needs and issues within their localities, there is power in regional solidarity. The advocacy initiatives built through the MISA network is what makes the work so powerful and the institution’s presence so necessary.
You only have to think back to the SADC Journalists Under Fire campaign conceptualised two decades ago and primarily based on the mounting violations against journalists, putting them, and particularly, the Zimbabwean media at risk.
At the time it was ground-breaking for southern Africa.
What made the SADC Journalists Under Fire stand out, was that it was strong, emotive and it personalised the plight of journalists. More importantly, it was based on the consolidation of MISA's media monitoring work and shaped the advocacy component that was supported by the research and monitoring that MISA chapters were undertaking.
Through the regional secretariat, the work was elevated and built into a strong, solid and powerful campaign. This further strengthened MISA's position to take cases to the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
In fact it helped transform MISA’s relationship with two of the most decisive continental bodies at the time – the Southern African Development Community and the AU through the annual ACHPR sessions.
This relationship with the ACHPR continues to be cultivated by the current secretariat of MISA Zimbabwe and this will hold it in good stead as we move into the future.
Bringing the issues to these two bodies is something that was and still is so successfully managed by MISA Zimbabwe. In fact strategic litigation and the strong continental advocacy and lobbying which the organisation is so successful at, is a strength that must be constantly built upon.
The very existence of MISA Zimbabwe as an organisation that builds on legal challenges around media freedom and freedom of expression combined with strong continental advocacy and lobbying campaigns is critical for the attainment of justice in the region.
But with this work comes responsibility. That responsibility is twofold. Advocacy that brings about change is a long term commitment that requires persistency and consistency. That is not always understood or acknowledged.
While it may look as though the recent granting of additional radio licences happened overnight, it is the result of commitment that built upon work started two decades ago when the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), came into being.
Through the tireless effort of MISA Zimbabwe and numerous strategic partners – a process that eventually gave birth to ZACRAS (Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations), the airwaves have opened. While we know that even this process has it flaws, it is certainly an improvement on what existed before.
Many of the struggles we are grappling
with today are similar to the battles that I remember fighting when I was still chairperson of MISA Zimbabwe.
Being the chairperson of the MISA Zimbabwe chapter in the early 2000s and working with colleagues through the highly politicised, volatile and what was the onset of exceedingly polarised media landscape, was challenging.
When I reflect on that period, I realise that it taught me so much. It was essentially a life transforming experience.
It provided me with an aha! moment, during which I clearly understood that the battle for media freedom and freedom of expression is not for the faint hearted. More than anything, I realised that strong and effective leadership is an integral part of the fight for justice.
To charter a course that upholds media freedom and freedom of expression, there is a need for leadership that embodies integrity, courage, fortitude and wisdom.
Those who take on positions in the governing council have to support a secretariat that works tirelessly, often with little reward or recognition and needs to be bolstered by the confidence and trust of the trustees.
They work under difficult circumstances in a precarious environment. So a strong and effective leadership is an integral part of the fight for justice.
MISA Zimbabwe as well as the various chapters, cannot effect change around media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information on their own. There should be acknowledgment that there is much goodwill – nationally, regionally and globally.
It is up to the leadership at both - secretariat and board level - to continue with these collaborative process in a way that will contribute to a lasting and impactful trajectory that can be traced back to MISA and the elevated position it holds.
Congratulations on 25 years of commendable work and all the best for the next 25.