ZIMBABWE: STATEMENT on the recent appointment of the Media and Information Commission
The Media Monitoring Project views with grave concern the recent appointment of commissioners to the Media and Information Commission as provided for in the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. MMPZ notes that firstly, the Commission itself is not an independent body since it is appointed by a government minister and is directly accountable to him. Secondly, that while the Commission purports to encourage and enforce ethical and professional journalistic practice; the functions of the Commission serve to restrict the public’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression and limits those wishing to exercise these rights. Thirdly, the composition of the Commission is not representative of Zimbabwean society. And finally, the Commission has been constituted within an Act that is in fact designed to restrict the free flow of information and opinion, and the people’s rights to these fundamental freedoms.
MEDIA MONITORING PROJECT ZIMBABWE
STATEMENT on the recent appointment of the
Media and Information Commission
June 5, 2002
The Media Monitoring Project views with grave concern the recent
appointment of commissioners to the Media and Information
Commission as provided for in the Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy Act.
MMPZ notes that:
Firstly, the Commission itself is not an independent body since it
is appointed by a government minister and is directly accountable
to him.
Secondly, that while the Commission purports to encourage and
enforce ethical and professional journalistic practice; the functions
of the Commission serve to restrict the public’s constitutional rights
to freedom of expression and limits those wishing to exercise
these rights.
Thirdly, the composition of the Commission is not representative of
Zimbabwean society
And finally, the Commission has been constituted within an Act
that is in fact designed to restrict the free flow of information and
opinion, and the people’s rights to these fundamental freedoms.
In the words of the former Minister of Justice, Zanu PF MP Eddison
Zvobgo, the law in its original form, is the “the most calculated
and determined assault on our liberties guaranteed by the
Constitution...”
The substance of the Act has changed very little since then.
Freedom of expression and the free flow of information in the public
interest are the cornerstones of any democracy and should be
subject to minimal and specific restrictions.
This Act does precisely the opposite and its constitutionality
should be subjected to legal challenge. The commission set up to
enforce this anti-democratic legislation therefore represents a tool
by which government intends to curb access to information and the
practice of gathering and disseminating it for the benefit of the
nation. The arrest and harassment of journalists from the private
Press under this Act and the Public Order and Security Act is
clear evidence of this agenda.
As a result, MMPZ believes that the commission in its present
form commands no credibility.
MMPZ therefore calls on government to repeal this prohibitive law
and recognize the public’s rights to freedom of expression and the
essential role that the free flow of information plays in promoting
national social, economic and political development. MMPZ
believes that the establishment of a statutory commission to
encourage ethical journalistic practice is unnecessary and
restrictive and calls on government to support existing efforts to
establish the formation of a voluntary media council representative
of media and civic interests.
Ends
For more information, please contact the Project Coordinator,
Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe, 15 Duthie Avenue, Alexandra
Park, Harare, Tel/fax: 263 4 703702, E-mail:
[email protected]
Web: http://www.mmpz.org.zw