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ZIMBABWE
State of the media in Southern Africa 2002
fusal of access to information is set out,
excepting a note that appeals would be
directed to the administrative court.
The restrictions put on information that
can be exempted are still wide, unqualified
and subject to abuse. The restrictions
signal an end to investigative
journalism.
The Media Commission still has the
power to investigate any wrongdoing
by media houses and journalists. The
commission can still pass this information
to the attorney general for prosecution.
It must be noted that the power
of investigating lies with the police and
not with an appointed Media Commission.
Despite removing most of the
quasi-judicial powers that had been
granted to the Commission and the
Minister, the amended bill remains
overtly restrictive in terms of the media’s
operations in Zimbabwe.
UPDATE
DATE: 2002-02-01
PERSON(S): Rhoda Mashavane,
Foster Dongozi, Cornelius Nduna
VIOLATION(S): Detained, legislation
Three journalists, Rhoda Mashavane
and Foster Dongozi of “The Daily
News” and Cornelius Nduna, news
editor from “The Standard”, who
were arrested on Wednesday January
30, 2002 in Harare, were released that
same day. However, they were told
to report to the police station on
Thursday, January 31.
The three journalists were released
after four hours of interrogation by the
police’s Law and Order section. The
police threatened to keep the journalists
for seven days, as provided for in
the newly enacted and repressive Public
Order and Security Bill. The journalists
were told to report to the station
on 31 January, where they were
to be officially charged.
Over fifty journalists, mostly from
the independent media, gathered at the
Parliament building to protest against
the repressive Access to Information
and Protection of Privacy Bill. The
three journalists took part in the demonstration,
which was organized by
MISA-Zimbabwe together with the
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists. Heavily
armed riot police dispersed the
peaceful gathering.
UPDATE
DATE: 2002-02-04
INSTITUTION(S): Media in Zimbabwe
VIOLATION(S): Legislation
Zimbabwe’s Information and Publicity
Minister Jonathan Moyo stated
that the government is not opposed
to the formation of a voluntary media
council by media workers.
The government, however, will set
up a statutory media council under the
newly enacted Access to Information
and Protection of Privacy Act. Moyo,
in a story that appeared in the February
1, 2002 edition of “The Herald”,
said that the establishment of a statutory
media and information commission
does not stand in the way of a
voluntary media council. “The media
industry is quite free, as in any other
profession, to proceed in that direction,”
said Moyo. The Minister however
added that the formation of a voluntary
media council would not eradicate
the government’s legitimate right
to make laws that provide instruments
and institutions for the enforcement of
So This Is Democracy? 189