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Media
Alliance of Zimbabwe statement on World Press Freedom Day
MISA-Zimbabwe
May 03, 2005
Throughout the
democratic world, May 3rd, is known as World Press Freedom
Day, as recognized by the United Nations, to celebrate and protect
fundamental democratic rights to free expression, including the
right to be informed.
For the past
six years, these rights have been systematically trampled by the
government of Zimbabwe in its campaign to silence criticism of its
policies and activities including the right to alternative opinion.
Four newspapers
have been closed in 18 months, throwing hundreds of media workers
into the streets. Scores of journalists have been arrested and harassed
by the government using repressive media gag laws that have crushed
the life out of any efforts to make the business of communication
an attractive or viable enterprise.
The constitutionally
guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and the right to information
in Zimbabwe are not just in the intensive care, but have almost
become extinct.
As a result
of this, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe, grouping MISA-Zimbabwe,
the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, and the Media Monitoring Project
of Zimbabwe, calls on the government of Zimbabwe to put an end to
this persecution.
We note that
the main instrument the government has used to subdue the independent
media in Zimbabwe is the notorious Access to Information and Protection
of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which criminalises the business of gathering
and disseminating information without a licence.
We, the journalists,
professionals and workers in the media community, have not forgotten
the recorded havoc and turmoil wrecked by AIPPA since its enactment
in 2002.
We further note
the draconian contents of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) and
the Public Order and Security Act. We remind the people of Zimbabwe
that all these laws do not just affect journalists and media houses
– they affect every Zimbabwean citizen. The licensing mechanisms
under AIPPA and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) effectively
paralyse the development of the private media. We also note with
concern that the authorities have stalled the liberalisation of
the broadcasting sector by putting in place stringent if not insurmountable
entry conditions for new broadcasters.
Hence, Zimbabweans
still endure unbalanced coverage from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Holdings’ (ZBH). We call upon authorities to transform the ZBH into
a true public broadcaster, representative of all Zimbabweans in
their diversity. We also call upon authorities to re look at the
cases of foreign journalists hounded out of Zimbabwe despite court
orders in their favour.
Access to information
and free exchange of ideas are at the core of a vibrant democracy
and inextricably linked to empowering the public to make informed
decisions and choices. We contend that a free media plays an important
role in the social and economic development of Zimbabwe. We note
that a vibrant media is critical in fighting hunger, H IV-AIDS and
political intolerance. Citizens of Zimbabwe must be able to share
ideas and information thorough various and free media outlets. It
is for this reason the media environment in Zimbabwe must be opened,
as part of efforts to find solutions to the many challenges we face
as a nation.
Consequently,
our theme this year: "We haven’t forgotten AIPPA",
is the result of a sombre reflection on the evident fact that freedom
of expression in Zimbabwe has been savagely curtailed.
We welcome efforts
by the new Minister of Information, Dr Tichaona Jokonya to create
a cordial professional relationship between the government and the
media practitioners, particularly his call on media practitioners
to suggest amendments to AIPPA. We also stand ready to work closely
with him towards improving the media environment in Zimbabwe.
In that vein,
we urge the government to replace the Media and Information Commission
(MIC) with a professional self-regulatory media Council.
MAZ demands
that government repeal or amend these laws in order to create an
enabling environment for the free and unfettered operation of the
media and journalists.
Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe
fact sheet
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