Back to Index

WAN calls for scrapping of taxation on foreign newspapers
MISA-Zimbabwe
July 10, 2008

The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and World Editors Forum WEF) have appealed to President Robert Mugabe to repeal punitive "luxury" tax on newspapers imported into Zimbabwe saying the move is preventing independent newspapers from reaching their audience.

In a statement on 9 July 2008, WAN and WEF said the 40 percent tax which was imposed in early June and prior to the 27 June 2008 presidential election run-off was aimed at reducing the influence of South African-based news sources which have been "extremely important" to Zimbabweans.

"Restricting access to information by punitive taxation constitutes a clear breach of the right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," the Paris-based WAN and WEF, which represent 18,000 newspapers world-wide, said in a letter to President Robert Mugabe.

The two organizations called on President Mugabe to remove the luxury tax on foreign publications and to end state intimidation of the independent media.

The statement cited The Zimbabwean and its sister publication, The Zimbabwean on Sunday which is printed in South Africa and published by Wilf Mbanga who is exiled in London, as the most affected saying the newspaper company is now forking out US$20 000 a week to meet the taxation requirements. This has forced the newspaper company to reduce its circulation from 200 000 copies to 60 000. The Sunday Times, Mail and Guardian and The Star are among some of the South African papers distributed in Zimbabwe.

WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers world-wide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and world-wide press groups.

*The WEF is the organization for editors within the World Association of Newspapers.

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