The Zimbabwean media has been targeted as a tool that has been under tight control and heavy censorship. Journalists especially those from the privately-owned media have been arrested, villified and assaulted. One of the worst cases being the bombing, of the country’s only independent newspaper the ‘Daily News’ in 2000 and then its printing press the following year. Following this, the draconian Access to Information and Protection Law was introduced in 2002, makingit a crime to work as a journalist or to run a media outlet without a license from the government-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC). Since its introduction in 2002, AIPPA has been used to harass dozens of journalists and to shutter newspapers like the Daily News.
That same year the Public Order and Security Act was enacted which criminalizes publishing false statements that are "prejudicial" to the state, or undermining the authority of or insulting the government.
In 2005 the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which introduces penalties of up to 20 years in prison and heavy fines for publishing or communicating "false" information deemed prejudicial to the state was mooted. This penalty is heavier than any contained in AIPPA or the Public Order and Security Act.
Several foreign correspondents and journalists have been barred from entering the country. Journalists and readers of the independent media have been attacked and detained, especially in ruling party strongholds.
Privately owned newspapers such as the Tribune were denied licences in 2004 and the Mirror stable was taken over by the Central Intelligence Organization in September 2005.
Journalists from the government owned media have not been spared, with journalists, particularly editors being fired and replaced by junior and inexperienced people hand-picked by government officials.
The Committee for the Protection of Journalists, Independent journalists continue to face police harassment, official intimidation, and the constant threat of arrest under the draconian laws. Several more journalists have gone into exile, joining a growing diaspora and underscoring Zimbabwe's reputation as one of Africa's worst abusers of press freedom and human rights.
The CPJ says at least 90 Zimbabwean journalists, including many of the nation's most prominent reporters, now live in exile in other African nations, the United Kingdom, and the United States, making it one of the largest groups of exiled journalists in the world.
Meanwhile, the country’s broadcasting environment, is monopolized by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings, which has been reduced to a mere propaganda machine. Since the enactment of the Broadcasting Services Act in 2001, no private players have been licensed to operate.
Radio stations set up overseas to counter this, such as Studio 7 and SW Radio Africa media blackout are currently being jammed by the Government.
This has deciminated the media industry and made it highly unfavorable for media investors. However it should not be all gloom and doom. A number of website newspapers have mushroomed and have kept Zimbabweans informed at home and abroad.
That is why a groupd of young Zimbabweans have decided to keep the spirit alive. This blog aims to bring Zimbabwean journalists together, with news of whats happening in their industry and top news in the Zimbabwean media with slant on politics and human rights.
We will also keep our reader up to date with news concerning Zimbabwean journalists. To keep our pens from growing rusty we hope to keep you in touch with training programs and anything of interest. We hope this will be a growing blog and look foward to hearing from you. So please feel free to write to the blog and express your views and anything you want to talk about concerning our MOTHERLAND. Please note we are not here to compete with any journalism group or association but are here to share ideas concerning the media and complement other Zimbabwean media organisations and associations.
That same year the Public Order and Security Act was enacted which criminalizes publishing false statements that are "prejudicial" to the state, or undermining the authority of or insulting the government.
In 2005 the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which introduces penalties of up to 20 years in prison and heavy fines for publishing or communicating "false" information deemed prejudicial to the state was mooted. This penalty is heavier than any contained in AIPPA or the Public Order and Security Act.
Several foreign correspondents and journalists have been barred from entering the country. Journalists and readers of the independent media have been attacked and detained, especially in ruling party strongholds.
Privately owned newspapers such as the Tribune were denied licences in 2004 and the Mirror stable was taken over by the Central Intelligence Organization in September 2005.
Journalists from the government owned media have not been spared, with journalists, particularly editors being fired and replaced by junior and inexperienced people hand-picked by government officials.
The Committee for the Protection of Journalists, Independent journalists continue to face police harassment, official intimidation, and the constant threat of arrest under the draconian laws. Several more journalists have gone into exile, joining a growing diaspora and underscoring Zimbabwe's reputation as one of Africa's worst abusers of press freedom and human rights.
The CPJ says at least 90 Zimbabwean journalists, including many of the nation's most prominent reporters, now live in exile in other African nations, the United Kingdom, and the United States, making it one of the largest groups of exiled journalists in the world.
Meanwhile, the country’s broadcasting environment, is monopolized by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings, which has been reduced to a mere propaganda machine. Since the enactment of the Broadcasting Services Act in 2001, no private players have been licensed to operate.
Radio stations set up overseas to counter this, such as Studio 7 and SW Radio Africa media blackout are currently being jammed by the Government.
This has deciminated the media industry and made it highly unfavorable for media investors. However it should not be all gloom and doom. A number of website newspapers have mushroomed and have kept Zimbabweans informed at home and abroad.
That is why a groupd of young Zimbabweans have decided to keep the spirit alive. This blog aims to bring Zimbabwean journalists together, with news of whats happening in their industry and top news in the Zimbabwean media with slant on politics and human rights.
We will also keep our reader up to date with news concerning Zimbabwean journalists. To keep our pens from growing rusty we hope to keep you in touch with training programs and anything of interest. We hope this will be a growing blog and look foward to hearing from you. So please feel free to write to the blog and express your views and anything you want to talk about concerning our MOTHERLAND. Please note we are not here to compete with any journalism group or association but are here to share ideas concerning the media and complement other Zimbabwean media organisations and associations.
Links To Zimbabwean Media
1 comment:
Hie there, here is to thank you for the insightful mail, do keep up the fearlesss work because it is only when good people remain silent that evil manages triumph. And please dont hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to support.
Regards
Fambai Ngirande
Advocacy and Communications Manager
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations
1st Floor Mass Media House, 19 Selous Avenue
PO Box CY250 Causeway
Harare Zimbabwe
Tel: 263-4-732612/703579/708761
Fax: 263-4-794973
Cell: 263-91-745710
Email: fambai@nango.org.zw
"And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it."
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