The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) was passed in 2002 by the Zimbabwean Parliament under the majority of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) and Former President Robert Mugabe.
[6] Especially the latter is subject to harsh critique from various governments, non-governmental organisations and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression because of severe media restrictions.
[10] There is a variety of exemptions where information can always be withheld ranging from deliberation of the cabinet, details of policy advice to national security.
[15] Its other main functions are to ensure the access of Zimbabweans to mass media information on the grounds of ethical and professional standards by exercising control on respective services.
[15][16] In terms of regulation, AIPPA restricts the ownership or shareholding of mass media services to anyone other than Zimbabwean citizens or permanent residents.
[8] The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and The Legal Resources Foundation versus The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Attorney-General case indicates that the decision on whether to disclose publicly held information is rather a policy decision made by politicians and not by the courts and set a wrong precedent to those that might think of appealing against refusals by heads of public offices.
[13] According to ARTICLE 19, there are also serious concerns regarding the sanctioning of breaches of the AIPPA granting considerate discretion to political actors such as the minister.