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MIC
quizzes gospel music producer over MDC symbol
The Standard
(Zimbabwe)
March 25, 2007
http://www.thestandard.co.zw/viewinfo.cfm?linkid=14&id=6157&siteid=1
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| Zimpraise
album cover showing the open palms of people praising God |
 The
producers of Zimpraise, a 15-track gospel music album featuring
various singers, claim the country’s media watchdog, the Media and
Information Commission (MIC) recently interrogated them for using
gospel music "to spearhead opposition propaganda".
The picture
on the sleeve of the CD shows the open palms of people "praising
God". The open palm is the official symbol for the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC).
Geoffrey Chaparadza
of International Tarch-Icon Film and Television Productions, the
funders of the project, told Standardplus last week that the MIC
summoned him after news reached their office that he had released
an MDC album.
"I was actually
surprised when I received the call to be asked whether I was now
producing music albums for the opposition party. They might have
had calls from people who confused the design on the sleeve for
something to do with the MDC," said Chaparadza.
"I visited the
MIC and gave them the album, to clear up things with them, and explain
to them what my intentions are. It is by mere coincidence that when
people raise their hands in praise they may be said to be showing
the MDC sign."
But on Friday,
the MIC denied ever calling Chaparadza or discussing the project
with him.
On Friday morning
MIC chairperson, Tafataona Mahoso’s personal assistant said: "We
do not deal in music albums. Nobody from our office ever called
them. They should call or come in person and talk to Dr Mahoso."
According to
the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), the MIC’s
role is to regulate mass media services. The National Arts Council
of Zimbabwe regulates music and related arts products.
Standardplus
understands Chaparadza had a meeting with Mahoso last week, where
he gave him a copy of the CD — still with its cover.
Chaparadza told
Standardplus that leading music distributor, Spinalong, had initially
agreed to distribute the album, but in a sudden about-face the company
called to inform them they could no longer distribute the album.
According to
Chaparadza, they said he should change the picture on the sleeve
if he still wanted Spinalong to distribute the project.
Newly appointed
Spinalong managing director, Admire Taderera dismissed Chaparadza’s
claims as "erroneous".
"The way they
are now putting it is erroneous. We never refused to distribute
their product — absolutely not.
"Actually what
happened is: after they had brought the CD to us, we were just discussing
with colleagues if the CD would not get them into trouble. It was
then that one of my colleagues called the guys and asked them if
they were comfortable with that cover. They actually never saw me."
Taderera worked
for the government broadcaster for years until early this year.
He said: "They
just took it back. If they want to bring it back in that state,
it’s up to them. We never refused to distribute the CD. It was just
an observation from a marketing perspective, that the picture on
the sleeve would give them problems. I would have suggested they
show full portraits of people waving their hands in praise."
The album features
Stanley "Pastor G" Gwanzura, Bethen Pasinawako, Taurai Gordon Nzira,
Carol Nyakudya and Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) producer of the
year 2006, Macdonald "Macdee" Chidavaenzi.
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