Back to Index

Media Commission backtracks on threat to close The Tribune
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
May 06, 2004

The Media and Information Commission in Zimbabwe, which had formerly indicated its intentions to close The Tribune newspaper unless the paper, “within seven days of the date hereof, show cause why the registration certificate must not be cancelled”, is backtracking over this threat.

In a letter dated 5 May, the MIC accused the paper of not notifying it that its ownership of has changed from Africa Media Group to Africa Tribune Newspapers (ATN). MIC adds that ATN operations are in contravention of section 67 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The Commission says it was not informed that Africa Media Group had changed to ATN and also that the frequency of the registered papers, The Business Tribune and The Weekend Tribune has been altered to just one called The Tribune. MIC chairperson, in the letter said, “in terms of the act, you have a mandatory obligation to notify the Commission of such substantial and material changes.

ATN has however provided MIC with the requested information, which shows that ATN was registered in 2002 as the holding company of Africa Media Group. ATN management said that after the takeover by the management in March 2004 they decided to go back to the original name, ATN, hence the confusion that might have arisen with the MIC. On 5 May the Daily Mirror reported that the MIC chairperson had apologized to ATN over the misunderstanding. An ATN senior manager who talked to MISA-Zimbabwe said that Dr Mahoso was informed when the new team took over and he reportedly said the MIC had no problems with the takeover.

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP