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Accreditation Fees Gazetted
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
June 18, 2002


The Zimbabwean government has gazetted fees that must be paid by media house owners and journalists intending to practice in Zimbabwe. Journalists unions and critics have however pointed out that the fees are exorbitant and would infact curtail press freedom.

The rules gazetted in a government gazette are a supplement to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act that was passed this year. They demand that a domestic mass media organization pay Z$20 000 (about US$360) to apply and Z$500 000 (about US$ 9 000) to register its operations, while a
foreign media representative office needs $2 000 (about US$36) for its application and US$10 000 for registration.

In addition, Zimbabwean correspondents for foreign media are required to pay US$50 as application fees and US$1000 for accreditation. Local journalist will pay an application fee of $1000 (aboutUS$18) and an accreditation fee of $5000 (about US$90). An application for a temporary accreditation by foreign journalists would cost US$600.

The Zimbabwe dollar has been officially pegged at 55 to the US unit since November 2000, but is trading at more than 600 to the dollar in the local parallel market.

Until now, the government has only charged nominal fees to accredit journalists for special events. The government has stated that media companies, which were already registered under the companies' act and journalists with existing press cards would be allowed to operate until their applications have been processed.

The newly appointed government media and information commission has the power to refuse to register a media firm or accredit a journalist but is obliged to give reasons.

In addition, the new media law requires companies to disclose their financial status and operating projections, and pay an annual levy of 0,5 percent of their audited annual gross turnover into a government created and owned media fund.

Journalists working for foreign companies in Zimbabwe have gone to the country's highest court to challenge the new media law. The Foreign Correspondents Association of Zimbabwe is also contesting the constitutionality of some sections of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Rashweat Mukundu
Research and Information Officer
MISA-Zimbabwe
221 Fife Ave
Box HR 8113
Harare
Zimbabwe

Phone: 00 263 4 721 841, 735 441-2
Cell : 00 263 4 011 602 685
E mail: misa@mweb.co.zw

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

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