Back to Index

World Press Freedom Day Commemorations
MISA-Zimbabwe
May 04, 2005

MISA – Zimbabwe and ZUJ held a World Press Freedom Day Commemoration event in Harare at the Quill Club on May 3 2005. The Quill club is the national journalist club in Zimbabwe. The commemoration, was held under the theme; “ We haven’t forgotten AIPPA”.

The chairperson for MISA Zimbabwe, Thomas Deve, gave the opening remarks in which he touched on the repressive media laws, which he said had destroyed the media industry in Zimbabwe. Deve urged the Attorney General, Mr Gula Ndebele, who was the guest speaker, to work with relevant government ministries in re-looking at AIPPA. Deve mentioned that not a single conviction has been achieved by the state since AIPPA and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) were enacted; yet over one hundred journalists have been arrested under these laws. He urged Dr Tafataona Mahoso, Chairperson of the government appointed Media and Information Commission (MIC), who was present, to stop, in his words “being a butcher of the media” and use his office to develop the media in Zimbabwe. On deteriorating standards of journalism, which the MIC cites as necessitating a law such as AIPPA, Deve called on Dr Mahoso to use MIC funds to train journalists and make a positive contribution to the development of the media. Deve went on to speak on the code of conduct and media council, that MISA and ZUJ are spearheading and that journalists need a voluntary media council and not the MIC, as is the current situation.

The guest speaker, Attorney General Sobusa Gula-Ndebele talked on freedom of expression and the role of the Media in Zimbabwe. He said freedom of expression is one of the essential freedoms that society values and that it is a right enshrined in the constitution. He however added that such rights have limitations when it comes to issues of national interests, public order and safety. He urged journalists not to abuse other members of society by writing defamatory stories. The AG acknowledged that there have been different views and criticism of AIPPA but added that journalists have to adhere to the law, as it is a valid law, until such a time when enough support is garnered to change the law. Mr Gula Ndebele also said journalists have an obligation to protect national interests, such as national security. He urged journalists to acquaint themselves with laws governing their profession.

In the question and answer segment, concerns were raised that the Media and Information Commission (MIC) is delaying registering the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe and other closed newspapers. The AG was also asked on the impartiality of his office, to which he replied that the office simply interprets the law and advises the government. The AG also expressed concern over the disproportionate gender representation in newsrooms and also in how stories are covered. He urged dialogue on concerns around media laws and any issue affecting the media in Zimbabwe.

The event was attended by over 100 journalists including George Charamba the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Publicity and Dr Tafataona Mahoso.

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

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