Victim/Concerned Party

Violation/Event/Issue

Date

Status of matter

Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ) retrenched workers.

ANZ publishers of the banned Daily News and Daily News on Sunday defy an order by the Retrenchment Board to pay the 153 retrenched workers severance packages totaling Z$ 2, 3 billion.

2 September 2004

ANZ management has appealed against the ruling arguing that they cannot afford to pay the money. The issue is still pending before the courts.

Broadcasting Regulations

The Minister of Information and Publicity Prof Jonathan Moyo finally announces the new regulations and fees for private players who wish to invest in the broadcasting sector.

5 September 2004

No private investors have been licensed in terms of the new regulations and fees

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

ZBH and NBC sign Memorandum of Understanding to launch Africa World, a 24-hour satellite news channel.

7 September 2004

The station is set to go on air in December this year.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Regulations.

The Vice Chancellor of Africa University Professor Rukudzo Murapa appeals to the government to revisit legislation concerning the issuing of ISPs licences saying the fees are prohibitive.

The Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) requires educational institutions to pay a licensing fee of US$ 70 000 a year.

8 September 2004.

The government is still to review the fees in question and come up with a comprehensive ICT policy.

ANZ directors

ANZ directors Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Rachel Kupara, Michael Mattinson and Brian Mutsau acquitted of the charges of contempt of court and publishing The Daily News without a licence

20 September 2004

Acquitted

Vincent Kahiya, Raphael Khumalo, Augustine Mukaro

Arrested on allegations of abusing journalistic privilege under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The Zimbabwe Independent had published a story which said judgment in the treason trial of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had been postponed because the assessors had not been given a chance to input into Judge President Justice Paddington Garwe findings.

23 September 2004

Police recorded a warned and cautioned statement from the three and asked them to report back to Harare Central police station on 28 September.

Still to be formally charged.

Frank Chikowore, freelance journalist

Barred from covering the initial remand hearing of women protestors who were arrested in Chegutu while on their way to Harare to protest against the controversial Non-Governmental Organisations Bill. The police confiscated his national identification card and passport.

30 September 2004

Chikowore has since collected his identification documents from the police in Chegutu after he produced his accreditation card which he did not have on him on the day in question.