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VMCZ
statement on barring of ZBC crew from covering an MDC-T rally in
Gweru
Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe
June 22, 2011
The Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe is concerned by reports that rowdy youths
allegedly belonging to the MDC-T barred a Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation (ZBC) news crew from covering the party's rally
at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru over the weekend, accusing the broadcaster
of reporting negatively about their party.
The Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) condemns in the strongest terms
the barring of the reporters from executing their mandate of reporting
accurately and objectively to society.
It is an issue
of serious concern that the youths, and anyone for that matter,
should interfere with journalists who are only undertaking their
professional duties be they from the private media or state media
houses.
The VMCZ is
also of the strong view that political parties need to revisit their
understanding of Section 20 of Zimbabwe's Constitution,
which guarantees freedom of expression and access to information.
It is this section that makes the right of the Zimbabwean public
and all media professionals to receive and impart information a
fundamental human right and not a privilege.
Political parties
are strongly urged to restrain their supporters to refrain from
attacking journalists and media practitioners and for the supporters
to tolerate divergence of views that exist in the Zimbabwean society.
It is against
this background that VMCZ urges all political parties in Zimbabwe
and Zimbabweans in general, who have a problem with a media story
as is published by print or broadcast media in Zimbabwe to approach
the VMCZ Media Complaints Committee to seek redress.
All reported
cases are dealt with under the VMCZ Code of Conduct which regulates
the operations of the media in the country.
Visit
the VMCZ fact
sheet
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