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Media commission to debate fate of Daily News
Tererai Karimakwenda, SW Radio Africa
October 31, 2007

Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu announced on Tuesday that a new board had been appointed to the Media and Information Commission (MIC) and it had the mandate to immediately deal with an application by the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ), to resume publishing the Daily News newspaper. Armed police shut down the popular daily paper back in 2003 and the publishers have since been battling government in the courts over the ban.

Speaking at a press conference in Harare, Ndlovu said this new board will immediately consider applications for licenses by independent media houses plus accreditation for journalists seeking to practice in the country. The chairman of the outgoing Commission which banned the Daily News, Dr. Tafataona Mahoso, has been retained on the new board, and this has already raised suspicion and concern.

It is widely understood that this move by government is a result of the ongoing talks between the opposition and the ruling party, mediated by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki. The talks are meant to lead to free and fair elections next year and both factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have insisted the need for a liberal democratic space that includes independent media.

Geoffrey Nyarota, former editor of The Daily News, described the announcement by the Information Minister as "gratifying", given the paper's long struggle to resume publishing.

Nyarota said: "Any process of political change in Zimbabwe hinges on the existence of a level playing field, including a democratic media climate."

Regarding government's decision to retain Mahoso on the new board, Nyarota said this was not a major concern because he views the former Media Commission chairperson as a servant of government who does what he is ordered. Explaining further he said Mahoso now has a new boss, and it remains to be seen whether Information Minister Ndhlovu is serious about change in the media or whether these are more stalling tactics.

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