|
Back to Index
This article participates on the following special index pages:
New Constitution-making process - Index of articles
VMCZ
World Press Freedom Day 2013 press statement
Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe
May 03, 2013
Theme: Safe
to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media
The Voluntary
Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) joins all Zimbabweans and the rest
of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day on 03 May
2013. This year’s commemorations come at a time when Zimbabwe
is anticipating the holding of harmonized elections and in the aftermath
of a referendum
that saw the approval of a new draft constitution for Zimbabwe.
In light of
these developments the VMCZ notes that the new constitution unfortunately
retains statutory regulation of the media. It is also regrettable
that the new constitution also continues with the undemocratic tradition
of criminalizing the media as well as freedom of expression. This
is particularly through sections 248 and 249 that establish the
Zimbabwe Media Commission and section 86 which does not list freedom
of expression as a right to which no limitations should apply.
It is the firm
persuasion of the VMCZ that such provisions in the draft constitution
remain inimical to media freedom, freedom of expression and access
to information. This is also in view of the fact that the country
is to hold harmonized elections in which the media has a key role
to play in promoting access to information and the maximum possible
public accountability of contesting politicians and political parties.
The VMCZ further
notes that the continued retention of repressive media laws has
the effect of hindering the professional work of journalists. Examples
of these laws include the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act, the Public
Order and Security Act (POSA), the Official
Secrets Act (POSA), the Broadcasting
Services Act (BSA) and also the Postal And Telecommunications
Act (PTA). These Acts of Parliament
have over the last year led to the continued arrests and harassment
of journalists in the course of doing their work. It is regrettable
that the inclusive
government is yet to repeal or at least democratize these pieces
of legislation. Furthermore, the resorting to criminal defamation
lawsuits by powerful individuals against the media has demonstrated
an unfortunate culture of impunity against the media.
In view of such
an undemocratic legal and political framework over and around media
regulation, the VMCZ remains of the conviction that media self-regulation
provides a democratic, ethical, professional and publicly accountable
alternative to statutory regulation. The VMCZ therefore remains
committed to carrying out its mandate as prescribed by media stakeholders,
media professionals, civil society organizations and members of
the public. The VMCZ urges all of the political parties, civil society
organizations and state institutions to respect the right of the
media to work freely and without undue hindrance as the country
gears up for harmonized elections scheduled for this year. Where
any of the aforementioned players and stakeholders have a grievance
against a media story, they are welcome to utilize the VMCZ Media
Complaints Committee and the Media Code of Conduct to seek non-criminalised
redress from the media.
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
|
