Transformation of ZBC critical to free and fair elections

rations that member states ignore but pay lip service to when questioned about their dubious democratic credentials.
Their long-term successful implementation and credibility rests in transforming state broadcasters such as the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) into a public broadcaster through sustained media law reforms that will expunge existing restrictive media laws.
The SADC standards stress the full participation of citizens in the electoral process, press freedom and equal access by all political parties to state media, freedom of association and political tolerance and independence of the judiciary among its other 10 fundamental tenets for the holding of free and fair elections.
It is in that regard that the transformation of the ZBC into a truly independent public broadcaster among other contributory factors will therefore go a long way in securing a free and fair environment ahead of the 2008 elections and thus render the SADC guidelines meaningful and achievable.
Media freedom is therefore paramount to the establishment and continuity of democracy as it is the primary indicator of the existence of democratic societies.
The very existence of repressive and restrictive laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Commercialisation Act, Public Order and Security Act (POSA), Interception of Communications Act (ICA) and Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) are a mockery of the government and ruling Zanu (PF)’s claims to democratic practice. Laws such as AIPPA, POSA, ICA and the BSA as it relates to the state’s control of the ZBC are designed to regulate free speech thereby muzzling the citizens right to freely formulate and air their beliefs and political attitudes through open discussions and platforms more so through the ZBC which is funded by the taxpayer. – Nyasha Nyakunu, MISA