Zimbabwe: IFJ calls for Journalist's Freedom

Media Release
> 13 June 2002
>
> The International Federation of Journalists, the world's largest
> organization of journalists, today called for a leading journalist on
trial
> under draconian new press regulations to be freed and for the Government
of
> Zimbabwe to end its "deplorable vendetta against press freedom." The IFJ
> says the trial of Andrew Meldrum, the Guardian's Harare correspondent, is
> "victimization of a respected professional."
>
> Meldrum, who is accused of publishing a false story under the country's
> spiteful media law, denies the charge. Late last years he was one of a
group
> of journalists accused by government representatives of "supporting
> terrorism".
>
> "This is victimization pure and simple," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan
> White, "The government has adopted an unacceptable pattern of targeting
> certain journalists."
>
> Meldrum is an American citizen who has lived and worked in Zimbabwe for
more
> than 20 years. He is the first journalist to be tried in Zimbabwe under
the
> Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which has been widely
> condemned by press freedom groups in the region and internationally. He
says
> he did not publish false information deliberately, and has pleaded not
> guilty. He could nevertheless face up to two years in prison or a fine of
> about US$2000 if convicted. Two other journalists, Lloyd Midiwa and Collin
> Chiwanza, have also been arrested in relation to the same report and face
> trial later.
>
> "This about a report based on wrong information is a matter to be resolved
> in the newsroom and not in the courts," says White, "It is absolutely
> unacceptable that honest reporters should be prosecuted in this way. The
> story was written in good faith. The legal process is being used as a
weapon
> to intimidate the whole profession," he said.
>
> "Ethics in the newsroom are matters that should be addressed by
professional
> themselves. They do not need to be directed by the law or by government".
>
> Further information: + 32 2 235 22 00
>
> The IFJ is the world's largest journalists' group with 500,000 members in
> 106 countries.
>
> **The information contained in this autolist item is the sole
responsibility
> of IFJ**
>