 |
ZIMBABWE: New Media Law
In November 2001, freelance cameraman Robert Adams decided to leave Zimbabwe and, with his young family, return to England. We asked him for his view on the implications of Zimbabwe's stringent new media law.
The
day after Robert Mugabe claimed victory in Zimbabwe's Presidential election
(March 9-11th) his ruling ZANU (PF) party forced through one of the most
draconian media laws in the world. Under the innocuously - titled Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, Information minister Jonathan
Moyo's new law restricts journalists' and media practioners' rights to
the extent that it is now virtually impossible to work independently of
the state-owned press in Zimbabwe.
It is now illegal
to criticise the President in any way, to report on the deliberations
of the cabinet, to "denigrate authority", for any media organisation
to be owned or part-owned by non-Zimbabweans, to report on any subject
related to national security, or for any non-Zimbabwean to represent a
foreign news organisation in the country. It is also now
necessary for all journalists working in Zimbabwe to be licenced by a
commission, whose members will be appointed by Minister Moyo. Most editors
assume that this will mean that only journalists and publications loyal
to the government will be allowed to operate.
The Bill was first presented to Parliament in January, and was rejected by the Parliamentary Affairs Commission as being in violation of the country's constitution, which guarantees free speech and freedom of association. Thrown out on a vote, the Bill was signed into law using President Mugabe's wide-ranging powers of Presidential decree.
It has become increasingly difficult for foreign journalists to work in Zimbabwe over the past two years, and the country will now be in the same league as North Korea and Cuba in terms of the freedom of the press. What this Bill means is that the government now has complete power over who can work in the media in Zimbabwe, and that the country's thriving and vibrant independent print media will be gagged.
Foreign correspondents
will occasionally be allowed in to cover specific events, but the days
when journalists, both foreign and local, could work freely seem to be
gone for good -- or at least until President Mugabe finally goes.
Issue 11 April 2002
The Trust | Awards | Training | The Free Lens | Links | Feedback | Home
The Rory Peck Trust
7 Southwick Mews, London W2 1JG
Tel: 44 - (0) 20 7262 5272
Fax: 44 - (0) 20 7262 2162
e-mail: rptrpa@dial.pipex.com
Limited Company No.
35524586 Registered in England and Wales
Charity Reg. No. 1071844