Download - Media Institute of Southern Africa

State of the media in Southern Africa 2002
ber of the SADC and we commended your government on the signing of the
SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport, which commits governments
in the region to securing and promoting the free flow of information.
We anticipate your fulfilment of agreements made during the SADC Extra
Ordinary Summit in Blantyre, January 14, 2002 where your Excellency assured
Heads of State of your commitment to freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.
Today, in 10 Southern Africa countries, MISA members and supporting organisations
are coming out in numbers to protest the consideration of the
Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill and the passing of the
Public Order and Security Act which both impose wide-ranging restrictions
on freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.
MISA protests these bills because they impose excessive restrictions on the
content of what the media may publish or broadcast; they call for all journalists
to obtain accreditation from a government controlled body; they specify
that all foreign-dominated ownership of the media is prohibited and non-citizens
are prohibited from working as journalists; and they endow the authorities
with excessive powers to stifle and violate media freedom in Zimbabwe.
MISA therefore appeals you, your Excellency to reaffirm your commitment
to freedom of expression. Furthermore, we appeal to your government, as
signatories to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to ensure
that democracy reigns in Zimbabwe. Articles 9 and 11 of the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights respectively guarantee every individual the
right to receive information and to express and disseminate opinions within
the law, as well as the right to assemble freely with others.
Sincerely yours
Luckson A Chipare, Regional Director
Declaration
April 17, 2002
TOPIC: Declaration on the arrests of Zimbabwean journalists
2002
* Following is a declaration signed by 28 (twenty-eight) members of Parliament
and media professionals, currently attending the Indian Ocean Rim Conference
on Parliament and the Media in Cape Town, South Africa. The event
is co-organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the World
Bank Institute, the Commonwealth Press Union, the Commonwealth Journalists
Association, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and the
South African Parliament. MISA is in possession of the original document
bearing the signatures.
268 So This Is Democracy?