Victim/ Concerned Party

Violation/ Event/issue

Date

Status of matter

Iden Wetherell,Vincent Kahiya, Itai Dzamara and Dumisani Muleya.

The four journalists are on remand accused of publishing a defamatory story in the Zimbabwe Independent. On 9 January 2004 the weekly published a story which claimed that President Robert Mugabe had commandeered an Air Zimbabwe plane to the Far East.

1 November 2004

Harare magistrate Omega Mugumbate dismissed their application to be removed from remand.

She ruled that it could be reasonably construed that an offence had been committed. She remanded them to 10 January when their trial date is expected to be set.

Parliament of Zimbabwe

The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (Amendment) Bill was passed by parliament.

The Bill criminalises the practice of journalism without accreditation by imposing a fine of $600 000 or two years imprisonment or both.

9 November 2004

The Bill is now expected to be signed into law by President Mugabe.

British journalists from the BBC, Telegraph, Mirror and Sun.

Banned from covering England’s cricket tour on political grounds.

24 November 2004

The journalists were eventually allowed to travel to Zimbabwe after England’s cricket team threatened to boycott the fixture with Zimbabwe.

Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ)

The BAZ announced that it was ready to receive and process licenses for 15 private radio stations and one television station.

29 November 2004

All applications have to be received before December 29 2004. There have been no takers since a similar invitation was extended in March 2004, a fact attributed to the exorbitant application and licence fees.

Parliament of Zimbabwe.

Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Bill seeks to impose a 20 year prison term or a fine of $5 million for publishing or communication of a statement prejudicial to the State.

30 November 2004

The Bill has already passed the second reading stage and is now at Committee stage in Parliament.