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Statement on MP Ziyambi's admissions
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)
April 02, 2012

ZACRAS is outraged by actions of the Member of Parliament for Chakari, Zachariah Ziyambi, who banned members of his constituency from listening to Studio 7 and reading newspapers perceived to be hostile to ZANU-PF.

In a Newsday article of 2 April 2012, the ZANU-PF Member of Parliament for Chakari, Zachariah Ziyambi, stated that he advised his constituency not to listen to Voice of America's Studio 7 or read newspapers hostile to ZANU-PF, so that they do not get distracted. Honourable Ziyambi said this during a parliamentary workshop organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) in Kariba.

It is deplorable that the same individuals whom Zimbabweans entrusted and voted into office, are the same individuals who seek to gag citizen's right to access information. The right to information is a basic human right, and should not be viewed as a privilege which can be bestowed or taken away from citizens at the whims of politicians.

In the same Newsday article, MP Ziyambi went on to add that his constituency does not have access to newspapers and has limited access to ZBC radio stations. It is ZACRAS' view that, by restricting access to Studio 7 and any other information sources which do not glorify ZANU-PF, the MP is striving to create information blackout.

Contrary to Honourable Ziyambi's actions, ZACRAS is of the belief that Parliamentarians should be at the forefront of championing the attainment of democratic principles, of which access to information is one of them .It is therefore regrettable that MPs like Ziyambi, are putting restrictions and dictating the kind of information that citizens should access.

ZACRAS believes that, placing restrictions on access to information promotes a culture of passivity and docility on the part of citizens. Restricting access to information will culminate in the constituency of Chakari being deprived of information. As a result, constituency members will not be able to actively engage in governance issues and demand accountability and transparency.

Currently, there has been an upsurge in cases of Parliamentarians who are abusing Community Development Funds (CDF). It is such instances which necessitate the empowerment of citizens through information provision, so that they demand accountability and transparency from the governing.

ZACRAS maintains its call for broadcasting diversity which will result in the licensing of community radios. It is ZACRAS' conviction that community radios will close the information gap which has been created by ZBC's failure to broadcast in all regions of Zimbabwe.

Promotion of access to information, freedom of expression and information dissemination is one of the cornerstones of any vibrant and healthy democratic society. Through community radios, the free flow of information will contribute to transparency, accountability and the rule of law. In this manner, citizen participation in public and political discourse will be greatly enhanced.

The free flow of information within countries and across international borders is a powerful force for development, understanding and positive change. Through access to information and participation of communities, an empowered Zimbabwe will actively participate in governance issues and demand accountability and transparency from the governing.

Visit the ZACRAS fact sheet

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