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Media statement on World Press Freedom Day May 3
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
May 03, 2003

Zimbabwe today joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day. For many Zimbabweans this day comes against a background of many difficulties at the economic, social and political front.

As media workers and stakeholders we note that we have not been spared of any of the vicissitudes facing our brothers, sisters, children, parents and friends. We note with regret that despite concerted efforts to have such laws as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act revised, no such developments ever took place. We note further that since March 2002, 63 media workers have been arrested under the new laws and many passed in the colonial era.

The infrastructure for information dissemination and communication, be it radio, newspapers, Television or Internet has been distorted by confused policy decisions. Under the Theme the "Media we have is not the Media we want" we have sought to bring to the attention of every Zimbabwe how information plays a role in our lives. The theme sums up issues raised above that as a people we need more communication outlets and we need friendly information laws and communication guidelines that facilitate the development of this country. We strongly believe that no development can take place in a country were information cannot be shared of transmitted easily and were journalists, and other media workers are willy-nilly arrested. The need for information goes beyond the luxury of reading, watching TV but becomes a necessary element in our day-to-day lives.

On this day we call upon the relevant authorities to repeal such laws as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Broadcasting Sections Act, some sections of the Public Order and Security Act and facilitate the licensing of private broadcasters.

Published by:

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists
Federation of African Media Women of Zimbabwe
National Association of Freelance Journalists
Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe
Kubatana.net
MISA-Zimbabwe

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