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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation launched in 1992 mainly by the independent media in the SADC member states.
MISA is a dynamic, member-driven network of national chapters co-ordinated by a professional regional secretariat which seeks through monitoring, training, capacity building, research and the distribution of information to foster free, independent and diverse media throughout southern Africa in service of democracy and development. This is in accordance with the 1991 Windhoek Declaration on an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, which highlights the vital role free and pluralistic media play in social, political and economic development.
The role of MISA is primarily one of a co-ordinator, facilitator and communicator, and for this reason MISA aims to work together with like-minded organisations and individuals to achieve a genuinely free and pluralistic media in Southern Africa.
MISA has its headquarters in Windhoek, Namibia and has a full time secretariat in 11 countries to service their respective membership. MISA-Zimbabwe is one such Chapter. The Zimbabwe Chapter of MISA was formed by a Trust on 27 August 1995 and established a fully-fledged secretariat made up of three people by August 1997.
The Mission
MISA-Zimbabwe will endeavour to: - Promote media freedom and enhance independent and ethical journalism for the benefit of society.
- Improve the skills base among media workers and to allow for more effective use of the media by all its citizens.
- To create an environment in which there is dedicated professionalism and which promotes openness, independence and pluralism.
The Values
The mission and vision of MISA-Zimbabwe are based on values that seek to:
- Advance the aims and objectives of the Windhoek Declaration.
- Promote a self-reliant, non-partisan and independent media that informs, entertains and educates.
- Promote an environment in which media freedom can be turned and in which journalists can work in a professional way.
The Vision
The vision of MISA-Zimbabwe is to play a role in creating an environment of media freedom that promotes independence. This environment will consist of:
*A media that is free, independent, diverse and pluralistic.
*Access to the media from all sections and sectors of society.
* Media workers who are critical.
*Legislation and policy reform that supports media independence, diversity and pluralism.
Membership
MISA-Zimbabwe has grown since 1997 with 350 paid-up members comprising media practitioners and media houses. Through a constitutional amendment made in 2001, MISA-Zimbabwe is now accepting associate membership from persons with an interest in media freedom and freedom of expression.
The Secretariat
The Secretariat is made up of the following people:
• Director
• Programme Officer- Information and Research
• Programme Officer - Advocacy
• Programme Officer - Legal
• Programme Assistant - Information and Advocacy
• Finance Officer
• Administrator
• Driver/Messenger
• Office Orderly
The secretariat reports to a MISA board, called the National Governing Council made up of seven people. |
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, African Charter on