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MMPZ statement on the signing of a power-sharing agreement by Zimbabwe's political leaders
Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ)
September 16, 2008

The Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) is an independent Trust that works to promote freedom of expression and responsible journalism in Zimbabwe. MMPZ cautiously welcomes the historic deal signed on September 15th 2008 between the leaders of Zimbabwe's main political parties that seeks to solve the country's political and economic crisis. Whilst applauding the efforts of the three leaders to put aside their political differences in the interests of the nation, MMPZ notes with concern that Article XIX of the agreement dealing with "Freedom of Expression and Communication" substantially fails to meet internationally recognized standards regarding media freedom.

Whilst expressing the desire for a free and inclusive media environment, the agreement fails specifically, to recognize that this can only be achieved by the complete reform of all repressive media legislation, including - as a first step - the immediate repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Broadcasting Services Act must also be reformed urgently to provide a conducive environment for the operation of independent radio stations within Zimbabwe's borders and a truly independent authority established to manage Zimbabwe's bandwidths and allocate licences fairly.

Without these initial measures, there can be no possibility of propagating a free and diverse media environment in Zimbabwe, let alone the successful domestication of private broadcasting enterprises run by Zimbabweans from outside the country, as the agreement envisages.

Article XIX of the agreement also specifically fails in that:

• It impinges upon the right to receive and impart information from a diversity of sources by wrongly and unilaterally assuming that external radio broadcasts from foreign media are not in Zimbabwe's national interest, and recommending that such broadcasts be stopped;
• It impinges upon the right of Zimbabwean journalists working for foreign radio stations to work for, and associate with any employer of their choice, by calling for the closure of foreign radio stations and recommending that these journalists return to Zimbabwe.

In view of this, MMPZ urges the new government to revisit and amend Article XIX in a manner that complies with internationally and regionally recognised standards of freedom of expression and communication. In particular, MMPZ urges the new government to commit itself to the following:

• Repeal of the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Broadcasting Services Act, Public Order and Security Act, and all other pieces of legislation that hinder the right to freedom of expression and information, including the right to seek and receive information and ideas as these laws do not serve any legitimate interest and are not necessary in a democratic society
• Ensure that the state broadcaster is transformed into an independent national public service broadcaster, whose editorial independence is guaranteed by law
• Ensure that the state-owned Press is either sold to private enterprise or is reformed to reflect professional journalistic practice operating in the public interest and in a manner that ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing Zimbabwean society
• Encourage a diverse and independent private print and electronic media, including foreign media
• Ensure that the Media and Information Commission (MIC) is dissolved and that all press activities are not rendered dependent upon any form of registration or admission so that mechanisms which promote media self-regulation are created or strengthened
• Bring to an end the use of offensive and inflammatory rhetoric that undermines national healing and reconciliation
  In this new dispensation, the media, and indeed everybody else, have a duty to communicate freely in a way that promotes national healing and positive transformation through any medium they choose.

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