Back to Index

Journalists barred from attending Tsvangirai press conference
MISA-Zimbabwe
September 13, 2008

Several journalists were on Thursday, 9 October 2008, allegedly barred from entering the Prime Minister Designates Strathaven home for a press conference.

The journalists were barred from entering the premises by security guards on the basis that they had failed to produce accreditation cards from the Media and Information Commission (MIC).

Ironically, the Movement for Democratic Change has in the past criticized the creation of the MIC under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the licensing of journalists by the commission.

The security guards are alleged to have claimed that they had been given instructions from the 'top' not to allow journalists without MIC accreditation cards. Attempts by journalists to explain that they were freelance journalists were fruitless.

The press conference was however, deferred to 10 October 2008.

MISA-Zimbabwe expresses its concern at continued use of repressive media laws to harass media practitioners going on with their duties especially during this transitional period; and calls for the immediate cessation of harassment of and the complete repeal of the restrictive media laws in the country.

Background

In Article 19 of the Agreement between ZANU PF and the two MDC formations of 15 September, 2008, the parties agreed to ensure the immediate processing by the appropriate authorities of all applications for re-registration and registration in terms of both the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) and The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA)

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