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VMCZ statement on the arrests of the Daily News Editor, Stanley Gama and reporter Xolisani Ncube
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
December 02, 2011

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) expresses grave concern at the arrests of Daily News journalists, Mr. Stanley Gama (Editor) and Mr. Xolisani Ncube (reporter) on Friday the 2nd of December 2011. Mr. Ncube was picked by the police just outside the Daily news offices over the newspaper's lead story of the 10th of November 2011 headed, "Chombo brags about riches". The paper's editor, Mr. Gama had to surrender himself at Harare Central police station after the detectives had visited the Daily News' offices looking for him.

This arrest of the two journalists follows the pressing of criminal defamation charges by the Minister of Local Government Dr. Ignatius Chombo over the newspaper's lead story of the 10th of November 2011 headed, "Chombo brags about riches".

The VMCZ calls for the immediate release of Mr. Gama and Mr. Ncube and urges political leaders, persons of influence and members of the public not to seek recourse to criminal defamation charges against journalists and media houses. Instead the VMCZ urges members of the public to approach the Media Complaints Committee (MCC) to raise their complaints on stories that they may deem inaccurate or unfair.

The preference of criminal defamation charges against journalists and media houses is patently undemocratic and can only be viewed as an affront to the right to freedom of expression and access to information that is guaranteed in Section 20 of Zimbabwe's Constitution. It is in this regard that the VMCZ wishes to express deep regret that political leaders would seek recourse to criminal defamation charges against journalists. Issues of grievances against the media can be resolved amicably without having to send journalists to police stations or interrogation by the police.

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