Zimbabwe to change media law
Zimbabwe has vowed to repeal and amend its contentious media and security legislation by the end of 2010, according to an official document. News agency Reuters reported seeing a government document on Monday, 22 March 2010, that revealed that the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act - which bans foreign journalists from working permanently in the country - will be repealed.
A Freedom of Information Bill will be introduced to allow journalists greater access to official information, the document said. It also indicated that a Media Practitioners' Bill will be tabled in Parliament to regulate the conduct of journalists. The document lists at least 17 amendments to be introduced this year. This includes changes to the Public Order and Security Act that police have used to ban opposition protests.