Back to Index

Statement on the attack of Herald reporters and the destroying of NewsDay newspapers
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
March 04, 2011

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) strongly condemns the unwarranted attack and harassment of two Herald journalists, Paidamoyo Chipunza and Innocent Makawa by a student nurse at Harare Central Hospital.

Further to this, the VMCZ wishes to express its strong disapproval of an incident which saw the tearing of copies of the daily paper, Newsday, in Harare on Wednesday 2 March by youths alleged to be political party activists.

The VMCZ is concerned with the increased attacks on media personnel and reiterates that those obstructing the work of journalists and destroying media products are working to seek to deny the constitutionally enshrined right of the people of Zimbabwe to receive and impart information without undue interference.

VMCZ appeals to society in general and to political parties, and their youths, to refrain from attacking journalists and destroying media products. We further urge that members of the public allow journalists to do their job freely and without harassment or any forms of attack.

It is regrettable that such violent acts and attacks against the media and media personnel add to a deteriorating and already compromised media environment in the country and the VMCZ calls on the authorities to take stern measures against all those that perpetrate acts of violence against journalists and media workers.

Where members of the public have a complaint against a newspaper, radio or television station story, they are free to contact our Media Complaints Committee on the addresses listed.

Visit the VMCZ 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