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Zim journalists in UK set up new association
Association of Zimbabwean Journalists in the UK (AZJUK)
February 01, 2005

Zimbabwean journalists living in the United Kingdom have launched an association to deal with issues affecting them. At a function held in London on Saturday, the journalists living in various parts of the United Kingdom, were for the first time brought together to discuss their plight and ways through which they can improve their professional capabilities.

Named the Association of Zimbabwean Journalists in the UK, the new organisation is set to create a database of all the journalists from Zimbabwe currently living in the UK and make sure they get opportunities to continue to write in an environment that is largely difficult.

The association also aims to conduct research and facilitate dialogue in various issues affecting Zimbabwe as a country and the media industry, provide a platform for the journalists to meet, discuss ideas of how they can develop themselves here in the UK and related issues.

Most of all, the association wants to work with local universities and colleges and even the media in the UK to secure educational opportunities for its members, dedicate some of its work to the defence of journalists in Zimbabwe and the promotion of media freedoms. Association secretary, Sandra Nyaira, said the journalists would also want to find ways of how to help struggling colleagues back in Zimbabwe whose newspapers, such as the independent Daily News and its sister paper The Daily News on Sunday where closed down by the government. The association also seeks to ensure its members get opportunities to continue with their journalistic work here.

She said the crying need for an association arose from the big number of Zimbabwean journalists now resident in the UK and the fact that most of them have not had opportunities to acquire new skills to use when they eventually returned to Zimbabwe.

More than 30 Zimbabwean journalists are currently living in the UK. She says the associations will try to help individual journalists improve their professional skills through training programmes developed with media organisations and training institutions in the UK.

The association also announced an annual award to be given to a Zimbabwean journalist in memory of the late Standard Editor, Mark Chavhunduka, who was arrested and tortured together with Reporter Ray Choto, after publishing a controversial story about a coup attempt by Zimbabwe’s military. Sponsored in part by John Owen, a City University lecturer, former Freedom Forum Director and Mark’s friend, the award will be worth £1 000 to a courageous journalist.

"It was a historic social day that marked the birth of AZJUK," said Forward Maisokwadzo, interim chair for the steering group.

"I was humbled by the overwhelming support we got from different people. The enthusiasm shown by many people wanting to see this association take off ground was remarkable, and I’m glad all went well."

The message from speakers and well-wishers was loud and clear, "tell us what you want as a group, we’re willing to help in what ever way we can using our different portfolios but the onus is with Zimbabwe journalists to clearly outline your needs."

An interim committee comprising Maisokwadzo, Simbarashe Chabarika, Blessing Ruzengwe and Nyaira was tasked to run the association prior to the election of a permanent executive.

For further details, please contact Sandra Nyaira on Sandra_nyaira@yahoo.co.uk or Forward Maisokwadzo on forwardm17@yahoo.com

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