(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called for the reinstatement of three journalists who were recently dismissed from the government daily “The Herald” because they worked with the American public radio station Voice of America (VOA). The three journalists – sports editor Robson Sharuko and sports journalists Tendai Ndemera and Rex Mphisa – were dismissed from “The […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called for the reinstatement of three journalists who were recently dismissed from the government daily “The Herald” because they worked with the American public radio station Voice of America (VOA).
The three journalists – sports editor Robson Sharuko and sports journalists Tendai Ndemera and Rex Mphisa – were dismissed from “The Herald” in early February 2004.
In a 25 February statement, the Media and Information Commission (MIC) said that Zimbabwean journalists’ collaboration with VOA ran contrary to “national interests and security,” since the station is “among the media outlets that spread lies about this country, contributing to a deterioration in its image.”
RSF said the dismissals were symptomatic of the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe. “The authorities are trying to cut all links with the outside world by preventing a free exchange of news,” the organisation said. “Journalists are restricted to writing about the president’s ‘munificence.’ No initiative is tolerated because it is viewed as a threat to the Mugabe regime, which feels threatened by growing international pressure. ‘The Herald’ is, after all, the mouthpiece of the ruling party, so in effect the authorities are punishing their most fervent supporters,” RSF added.
The organisation also regretted that the government daily had published an article justifying and backing the decision to dismiss the journalists. “Even government media seem to be afraid of the authorities,” RSF said.
In a separate development, “The Herald” managing editor Pikirayi Deketeke, news editor Innocent Gore and reporter Tsitsi Matope are facing criminal proceedings for allegedly “defaming” a leader of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), after carrying an article accusing him of fraud. Under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), they face several years in jail.
