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Supreme Court verdict a major step by media workers in dismantling illegal AIPPA
Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (IJAZ)
May 09, 2003

The Supreme Court today struck down Section 80(1)(b) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) in the constitutional case filed by Daily News staffers (SC 280/2002).

For IJAZ, it is refreshing to note that the constitutionality of the same section, which IJAZ also challenged in the constitutional petition against AIPPA (SC 202 /2002) last year, has now been struck down.

The ruling is important for media workers as Section 80 (1) of AIPPA clearly hindered the enjoyment of freedom of expression and interfered with the right of journalists to receive and impart information.

We hail the Supreme Court verdict as a major step by media workers in dismantling this illegal Act, which does not have a place in an independent Zimbabwe. The battle is however far from being over. The legislation is still pregnant with provisions that militate against media freedom.

The Supreme Court heard the IJAZ challenge to sections 79, 80, 83 and 85 in November last year and the ruling is still pending.

The last communication from the Supreme Court in March said the judgement "will not be ready in at least one month".

We now await the Supreme Court to deliver the verdict on the main challenge to AIPPA.

Vincent Kahiya
Vice-President

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