Zimbabwe: The right to free expression for sale

Weekly report
>
> Focus of the week
>
> The right to free expression for sale in Zimbabwe
>
> Journalists and media houses operating in Zimbabwe that did not meet the
> deadline for registration are now illegal.
>
> This is because the government of that country decided journalists and
media
> houses operating in the country should be registered and accredited at a
fee
> by the end of June this year. To register as a journalist one is required
to
> have tertiary education.
>
> If by law one is required to register in order to publish information or
> views through the media at a fee, it makes it illegal for unregistered
> people to publish information and views. The Zimbabwean government in this
> way is stripping citizens of their right to express themselves through one
> of the most accessible platforms, namely the media unless they pay.
>
> The move further impede the free press in Zimbabwe, and the media have
> expressed their discontent to that effect, however the requirement
alienates
> the right of non-journalist citizens to express themselves more than it
does
> to journalists. Journalists can at least buy back their rights.
>
> The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the Zimbabwean Union of
> Journalists among other organizations have criticized the move saying it
is
> aimed at further suppressing the free press. Tawanda Nyandoro a media
lawyer
> in Zimbabwe told a conference held in Zimbabwe by MISA that the
requirement
> is unconstitutional since it hampers free expression
>
> Section 20 (1) of the Zimbabwean constitution states; "No person shall be
> hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say,
> freedom to hold opinions, and to received and impart ideas and information
> without interference and freedom with his correspondence."
>
> By impeding the freedom of the press, the Zimbabwean government is
creating
> uncertainty and confusion in the media industry that leaves many
journalists
> fearing about the future of their careers, incomes and livelihood.
>
> Unlike many other professions at the heart of journalism is the right to
> express one's self, and unfortunately for the Zimbabwean government this
> right is not limited to journalists but it also applies to every other
> citizen.
>
> The Zimbabwean government's decision has far more reaching implications on
> social and political engagement, and the right for citizen to express them
> in that country more than what is perceived.
>
> The exorbitant charges of up to more than half a million Zimbabwean
dollars
> for domestic mass media organisations and up to six thousand dollars for
> local journalists keeps away non journalists from participating in the
> media. It also put further financial burden on media and its practitioners
> who are already operating under severe economic pressure and harsh
> conditions.
>
> This year the Zimbabwe government passed two laws, the Access to
Information
> and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Security and Public Order Act that
> have serious implications on media freedom.
>
>
> The Diary
>
> Annan calls for free and fair political debate
>
> United Nation Secretary General Kofi Annan at the launch of the African
> Union (UA) called for politician in African to allow free and fair debate
> before a vote, and allow space for the views of the opposition in post
> election this is according to the Sowetan newspaper of July 9, 2002.
African
> heads of states launched the AU in Durban this week. They claim will
> encourage good governance and promote democracy on the continent.
>
> Trevor Ngwane out on bail
>
> General Secretary of the Anti Privatisation Forum Trevor Ngwane was this
> week released from prison on R1000 bail. According to the Star newspaper
of
> July 9, 2002 Ngwane is facing charge of malicious damaged to property
after
> he and other eight people were allegedly found painting graffiti on
building
> in the city centre to show their support for the South African Municipal
> Workers Union. Ngwane is an activist who is fighting the government over
> water and electricity cuts in the townships.
>
> **The information contained in this autolist item is the sole
responsibility
> of FXI**