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Media and Information Commission's refusal to register papers
Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe P/L
September 20, 2003

Last night's decision of the Media and Information Commission lends total credence to our original argument before the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe that this law (The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act) is not reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

With one stroke of a pen, the Media and Information Commission, a body which is not democratically accountable, has made a decision that denies the people of Zimbabwe their fundamental right to Freedom of Expression. 942 323 readers of the Daily News who read a copy of the Daily News everyday no longer have the right to do so as of last night- what public interest has The Commission served by it's decision?

We all know that a free and independent press is a fundamental pillar of any nation that claims to be a democracy.

These events challenge all of us no matter where we are to speak out and demand an end to such injustice. ANZ will continue to pursue legal action to get the Daily News back on the street. When The Daily News is back on the streets we will know that an important corner has been turned. Democracy in Zimbabwe can then start it's fragile but essential and long overdue journey back to recovery.

Samuel Sipepa Nkomo
Chief Executive Officer

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