FIRINNE TRUST and VALERIE INGHAM-THORPE and BRIAN DESMOND CROZIER versus ZIMBABWE BROADCASTING CORPORATION and ZIMBABWE NEWSPAPERS (1980) LIMITED and ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION and ZIMBABWE MEDIA COMMISSION and BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE

Key Issues

• {"issue_text":"Whether applicants' supplementary affidavit should be expunged from record for being unprocedural and introducing new cause of action","issue_type":"procedural","dispositive":"no","related_facts":"Supplementary affidavit filed after original application, with amended draft order covering future elections"}
• {"issue_text":"Whether matter has been overtaken by events since the 2018 election has passed","issue_type":"procedural","dispositive":"no","related_facts":"Original application focused on forthcoming 2018 election"}
• {"issue_text":"Whether papers disclose material disputes of fact requiring trial","issue_type":"mixed","dispositive":"no","related_facts":"Methodology for measuring media bias contested by respondents"}
• {"issue_text":"Whether applicants have locus standi to bring this application","issue_type":"procedural","dispositive":"no","related_facts":"Section 85 of Constitution grants enforcement rights for fundamental rights"}
• {"issue_text":"Whether ZBC and ZMC have breached constitutional and statutory duties regarding impartial media coverage","issue_type":"constitutional","dispositive":"yes","related_facts":"Evidence of media bias from multiple observer reports and monitoring"}

Background