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Closure of Daily News, an assault on media freedom
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
September 13, 2003

The closure of The Daily News on Friday 12 September 2003 is a severe assault on media freedom.
The continued existence of the Daily News would have allowed the organisation to play a decisive role during this crucial period when there is hope that there might be a relatively peaceful negotiated settlement to the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

Thus the sudden closure of The Daily News robs the country of one of the few alternative voices in an increasingly restricted space where Zimbabweans can freely express themselves.

The Daily News occupies a distinctive place in the media landscape of Zimbabwe having firmly establishing itself as the first independent daily paper during a crucial period - the run-up to the government established Constitutional Commission and the 2000 parliamentary elections.

The Daily News plays a crucial role in the day-to-day lives of Zimbabwe and is recognised as a leading player in disseminating information and for it's role in providing a public platform for discussions of various issues.

Since it's launch in 1999, the Daily News has suffered three bombings and yet it has managed to overcome these assaults to continue to play its role adequately. We note that its closure puts hundreds of workers in the streets and hundreds of families have lost their only source livelihood.

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