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Statement on the arrest of Chinhoyi publisher Dennis Kagonye
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
November 08, 2012

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) notes with the greatest of concern the arrest and conviction of Mr. Dennis Kagonye, editor of the Weekly Mirror on charges of contravening Section 72 of the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). Mr. Kagonye was arrested on 6 November 2012 and was fined $100 for operating a mass media service without a licence.

VMCZ maintains that AIPPA remains an undemocratic law that arbitrarily inhibits media freedom and freedom of expression. Mr. Kagonye's case is but the latest example of the undemocratic character of this Act of Parliament.

The VMCZ calls upon Parliament and government to urgently repeal AIPPA and as a direct result thereof enable journalists and publishers to operate in a free and democratic media environment that does not criminalise the media or freedom of expression.

Where the Legislature and Executive fail to do so, freedom of expression and access to information will remain the remote preserve of the few and not the majority of Zimbabwe's citizens.

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