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World Press Freedom Day
Youth Alliance for Democracy
May 03, 2010

Youth Alliance for Democracy joins the entire world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day under the theme: Access to Information: The Right to Know. This day serves as an occasion to inform the public of violations of the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists' brave death or jail to bring people their daily news. In Zimbabwe, this day has more significance given the dark cloud hanging over our media fraternity.

There has been deliberate delay in executing media reforms, as enshrined in the Global agreement. The constitutional making process has also been deliberately, delayed, a situation which has seen Access to Information Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) being sustained by the Zimbabwean populace. This law is draconian just like Public Order and Security Act.

There is no democracy to talk about until such laws are done away with. The dilly-dallying on issues to register daily newspapers by the state is a clear testimony that there is no political will to democratize the nation. This even shows that the National Healing, Unity and Cohesion process as enshrined in article vii of the GPA, by the fragile government of national unity is just lip service. The continued bias by state electronic and print media towards the former ruling party, as envisaged by the continued mantra against other political parties, both inside and outside GPA equally depict the same.

The 'pirate' radio stations can only be silenced if enough media space is opened. It does not make sense to make noise about 'pirate' radio stations when a pirate government is in place (It was not registered in the hearts of the majority). As YAD we are becoming impatient with the pace at which the Constitutional Making Process, the backbone of all democratic reforms is being dragged by politicians of the day.

Meanwhile, YAD is establishing community newsletters in all its target areas where a bottom to top approach will be emphasized. Currently there has been unnoticed tyranny to the grassroots whereby information is just concocted by the 'haves' taking unfair advantage of resources at their disposal. We equally support the demands by fellow pro-democratic organizations such as Media Institute of Southern Africa that community radio stations must be established. Theatre group must also come up with alternative media advocacy by way of engaging communities to act out their situations and copying strategies.

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