Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu-Herald Reporter
ZIMPAPERS journalists and other staffers have been urged to ensure compliance with the Cyber and Data Protection Act in line with the provisions set by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
This call to action emerged during a workshop organised by the Zimpapers management to educate journalists on the provisions and principles of the CDPA.
The workshop enhanced understanding of data processing principles, data subjects, consent, rights, as well as crimes and penalties associated with data misuse.
It also focused on critical aspects of data protection, particularly in the context of journalism and the legal frameworks governing data handling.
During the workshop, greater emphasis was placed on the importance of ethical practices and legal compliance in data management.
The facilitator of the workshop, data protection officer Mr Wellington Madzuka, emphasised the necessity for journalists to be well-versed in the act.
“The Cyber and Data Protection Act is designed to protect the rights of data subjects.
“This should come as a relief to us, as there have been numerous cases of personal information abuse.
“We thank POTRAZ and the Government for this act, which will guide us in handling personal information and data subjects responsibly.
“We have long trampled on their rights, and this act arrives at a time when the thrust is about transitioning to digital newsrooms,” he said.
Zimpapers acting Editorial Executive Mr Elias Mambo urged all media practitioners to embrace the Act.
“Data protection is crucial, especially for us as a media house.
“We handle vast amounts of data daily across all our platforms, from advertising to editorial content.
“This is vital, and the session we had is not merely a regulatory matter, it is essential for the integrity, trustworthiness and sustainability of media organisations.
“To maintain our credibility, we must demonstrate how we handle data and respect data subjects.
“We urge our journalists and practitioners to protect the data they obtain from these subjects, which also relates to ethical considerations in news writing.”
Zimpapers company secretary Mrs Daphine Tomana stressed the need for journalists to prioritise caution.
“We must play it safe because any violation of existing laws could lead to HR involvement, resulting in a relevant charge sheet against the violator.
“We need to exercise caution and expect more regulations to come, but continue doing your job.
“There is a need for several legal guidelines, and it will require a collective effort to develop a policy,” said Mrs Tomana.
The Cyber and Data Protection Act, which became law in December 2021, addresses issues such as cyberbullying and data protection.
Under Section 164B, it is a criminal offence to intentionally use a computer or electronic medium to generate or send data that coerces, harasses, threatens, bullies, or causes substantial emotional distress to another person.
Violations can result in a fine of up to Level 10, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
The Act also establishes a Data Protection Authority, provides a framework for data protection, amends the Criminal Law Act and other acts to combat cybercrime and aims to foster a secure, technology-driven environment.
