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Statement
on World Press Freedom Day
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
May
03, 2010
The National Constitutional
Assembly (NCA) joins the rest of the world in commemorating World
Press Freedom Day under the theme, freedom of information; the right
to know.
World Press Freedom Day
is a day that reminds us of the vital importance of this core freedom.
Article 19 of
the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights states that... the fundamental right of freedom
of expression encompasses the freedom to "to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers.'' Freedom of information is an integral
part of freedom of expression and contributes to democratic governance.
It promotes exchange
of ideas on freedom of information to advance empowerment, transparency,
accountability and the fight against corruption, as well as on the
key obstacles that the effective exercise of the right to know faces
in today's digitalized world.
Democratic participation
depends on a well-informed people, and this will enable for the
citizens to effectively monitor and assess their leaders'
performance, as well as for their meaningful engagement in public
debate and decision-making processes that impact their lives. Freedom
of information therefore represents an important instrument for
the public to hold the government and other actors accountable,
and contributes to deter secretiveness, corrupt practices and wrong
doing.
We take this opportunity
to celebrate the indispensable role played by journalists in exposing
abuses of power in this country. We will continue sounding the alarm
about the growing number of journalists silenced by death or jail,
arbitrary arrests, abductions, detentions as they attempt to bring
daily news to the public. Journalists, Vincent Kahiya, Frank Chikowore,
Constantine Chimhakure, Stanley Gama, Shadreck Manyere and Stanley
Kwenda all fell victim to Harare's new administration. All
the parties in the coalition government have clearly shown us their
hostility to media reforms, as witnessed by the harassments of journalists
in both the hands of ZANU PF and the MDC.
While we welcome
reforms in the media environment and the setting up of the Zimbabwe
Media Commission (ZMC) the media environment has still not changed
under the inclusive government. Repressive media laws namely AIPPA,
Broadcasting
Services Act, POSA
and Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform Act), are still with us and are
being used systematically to stifle freedom of expression.
Also noting that several
journalists namely Lance Guma,Violet Gonda, Patience Rusere, Jonga
Kandemiri, Brenda Moyo, Tichaona Sibanda, Blessing Zulu, Sandra
Nyaira, Davison Mdzingwa, Chris Gande, to mention just but a few
had to be forced to leave their beloved country and are now operating
in other countries because of repression.
The state media is still
one-sided with only one party receiving favourable coverage.
We are also concerned
about the abuses of journalists in countries like, Iran, Burma,
Uzbekistan, Cuba, Somalia, Sri-Lanka, Eritrea to mention just but
a few.
As the NCA we urge the
Zimbabwe Media Council (ZMC) not to behave the same way as its predecessor
led by Mahoso. Thus we demand the opening up of the airwaves, newspapers
for independent players. To the journalists, we urge them to remain
resolute to continue executing their work no matter how much intimidation
and fear.
In conclusion the NCA
will continue fighting for a new people driven constitution that
guarantees and promotes freedom of expression and access to information.
Visit the NCA
fact
sheet
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