MISA turns 25: a humble giant in the struggle for media reform in Zimbabwe
THOSE that know me well can attest to my hatred of Mondays. They are such a depressing anticlimax from the usual restful, yet fun-packed weekends that I find therapeutic to the energy sapping and taxing week days of my life.
So January 11 2010 was that odd, but special Monday that has remained etched in my memory and safely secured in my vault of special moments.
I walked into MISA Zimbabwe offices as the national director having been appointed by the Board at the end of 2009, a decision that almost split the organisation’s membership as a group of some individuals sought to fiercely contest the Board’s judgment all the way to the MISA Regional office in Namibia.
This in itself represented MISA’s unkind induction of myself on the fundamental values of the organisation, which uphold the need to allow for free expression of one’s opinion and respect for divergent views – however uncomfortable they may be – as the centrepiece of a democratic society.
Membership to one organisation does and should not translate into seeing things the same way. Even choirs have discordant notes that break the rhythm. But they still remain a group bound by the desire to sing for an occasion.
Thus, while I was excited to be leading an organisation that had vastly influenced my career choice as I enrolled for the Post Graduate Diploma in Media and Communication Studies, and later for my Masters degree on the same with the University of Zimbabwe, as well as form the foundation of my career as a media and communications expert post my studies, I was fully much aware of the challenges ahead.
Unity of purpose and building consensus regardless of divergent views was key in positioning the organisation to respond to media challenges of the day and influence reforms, especially as the country invested its hopes on the coalition government made up of Zanu PF and factions of the MDC.
My appointment was almost a year into the formation of the coalition government and hopes were high that it would be smooth sailing for media freedom advocates as they now had allies in the “new” administration.
This was particularly so as the main currency of the administration was the promise of a reformed Zimbabwe characterised by democratic legislation, justice and improved socio-economic wellbeing of citizens.
The challenges were there for all to see
However, sooner, political brinkmanship within the coalition government left no doubt that the resolution of the fundamental democratic questions of the time would remain an illusion.
And, as MISA Zimbabwe we could not afford to be consumed by the euphoria brought about by the coalition nor shy away from confronting those who had joined government and who hitherto shared with us the same vision on media freedom and freedom of expression. They had to be kept on their toes and held accountable to their promises.
That required a united organisation that spoke with one voice. As the secretariat we ensured the organisation’s structures across the country’s main provinces came together to focus on the bigger picture of media reforms and sufficient safeguards for freedom of expression.
With the network density of its membership, the organisation built national consensus around its key asks and ensured message discipline during engagements with legislators, diplomats, regulators, relevant ministries and state institutions, community members and key allies in the media and civil society.
It was that unity, which gave the organisation the courage to rebuff sweeteners from some members of government and donors aimed at ensuring that we soften our advocacy blows and compromise on our values.
We could not waiver on our demands on self-regulation, democratic broadcasting regulation, sufficient safeguards for freedom of expression, the promotion of access to information and citizens’ right to privacy.
These were non-negotiable!
This principled approach, which beyond the usual corridors of power was on public display during the public consultations by the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry as well as the 2013 constitution mak
ing process, is reflected in the outcome of the two processes among other markers of success.
These include the repeal of AIPPA and licensing of community radios, after a long tedious battle with the powers that be.
True to its position as a strategic, foresighted and robust lead agent on media freedom and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, MISA Zimbabwe proactively appreciated the disruptive nature of digital communication technologies anchored on the rising penetration of the internet in the country.
Rather than watch in awe the unravelling technologies, the organisation took leadership in influencing democratic governance of the digital space as well as promoting access to and availability of the internet, especially among those living on the margins of the information highway.
This was predicated on the realisation of communication opportunities provided by the internet, especially in a country with media restrictions such as Zimbabwe, and the need to thus ensure democratic regulation of the space.
Besides spearheading the convening of multi-stakeholder internet governance forums, providing alternative internet regulatory framework, the organisation facilitated the establishment of community networks – the first of its kind – to promote access in selected rural communities.
This pioneering work soon caught the eye of ICT ministry officials, who then came up with their own centres.
The journey has been long, hard and risky but worth the sacrifice. Someone has to do it, and selflessly put their neck on the block for the benefit of citizens.
It is trite to note the indispensability of a free media in building democracy. Equally, accountable governance, just and inclusive societies can only become a reality if citizens have access to diverse sources of information as a public good and are able to use the information to question authorities, engage and participate in the governance of their communities as well as mobilise and act for the betterment of their lives.
That is why such zones of advocacy as that occupied by MISA Zimbabwe, is a place I associate myself with no apologies.
It was thus with a heavy heart that I left MISA Zimbabwe on Thursday, August 31 2017, for it had not just become my work place, but a part of my life. My workmates became my second family; the membership became an expansive group of friends spread across the country, who, to this day, I call upon for help.
I also got linked to valuable contacts in the public service, media think-tank organisations and media experts, not only in Zimbabwe, but the region, who to date, play an immense role in my career.
But I had to leave, entrenching a culture of leadership renewal that is characteristic of MISA Zimbabwe. I was the sixth National Director (in 14 years of its existence), and was not going to be the one to break the trend.
As with my predecessors, I had to keep alive the fact that leadership is not about holding on to a seat of authority but ensuring that the organisation outlives your time when you pass on the baton and regenerates new and fresh ideas.
And indeed, MISA Zimbabwe is now more vibrant and has registered staggering successes within a short space of time under new leadership.
Politicians, civil society leaders, can certainly take a leaf from this humble giant called MISA Zimbabwe.
Happy 25th!