Back to Index

Zimbabwe exiles to launch weekly newspaper in Britain
SABC News.com
January 31, 2005

http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,96951,00.html

The founder of Zimbabwe's ill-fated pro-opposition Daily News plans to launch a weekly newspaper for exiled compatriots in Britain and South Africa in time for elections in March.

Wilf Mbanga, the founding editor of the Daily News which was closed by Zimbabwean authorities in 2003, said he would launch "The Zimbabwean" on February 11 in Britain, with an initial print-run of 120 000 and a Southern African edition published in Johannesburg. "We believe the paper can play a role in drawing attention to so much that is offensive to basic human decency and hostile to peace in our beloved Zimbabwe," Mbanga said in a statement.

"We believe those in positions of authority and power should be held accountable to those they are supposed to serve and that a free media is fundamental to ensuring such accountability." He said the tabloid publication "will obviously have a heavy emphasis on Zimbabwean politics" but would also cover arts, culture, business, sports, and other news.

The closure of the Daily News was the most high-profile case brought under strict new media laws introduced by President Robert Mugabe's government. Dozens of journalists have been arrested under the laws and a number of foreign correspondents have left the country. Mugabe has accused his opponents, including pro-opposition publications, of supporting a Western agenda driven by a desire to avenge the forced seizure of white-owned farm land to give to landless black Zimbabweans, and says opponents at home and abroad have sabotaged Zimbabwe's once prosperous economy.

Parliamentary polls are due in March although a date has yet to be announced and the main opposition has threatened a boycott. - Reuters

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