Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Minister renews attack on independent press
(MISA/IFEX) – Minister of State for Information and Publicity Jonathan Moyo has said that the privately owned media is an oppositional press and should not expect to be treated with kids gloves, “The Sunday Mail” reported on 22 April 2001. Writing an opinion piece in the state owned “The Sunday Mail”, Moyo attacked the privately […]
ANC criticises newspaper report on Mbeki
(MISA/IFEX) – The African National Congress (ANC) has reacted angrily at a report in a South African newspaper, “The Citizen”, which claimed President Thabo Mbeki was a womaniser. “For ‘The Citizen’ to publish such trash was proof that a leopard never changes its colours,” said ANC spokesperson Smut Ngonyama. “It is publicly known and I […]
ZBC restructuring under discussion
(MISA/IFEX) – In a 9 April 2001 meeting, government representatives, governors of the local content committee, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board and management agreed that the ZBC needs to serve the Zimbabwean public better and meet the demands of public broadcasters in the new millennium, “The Herald” reported on 10 April. It was agreed that […]
Government tightens grip on rural media
(MISA/IFEX) – The government has replaced six of its eight Provincial Information Officers (P.I.O.s) as it tightens it grip on the media ahead of the presidential election next year, “The Daily News” reported on 7 April 2001. George Charamba, permanent secretary of the Department of Information and Publicity, said on Thursday 5 April that his […]
Civic groups say Broadcasting Services Act gives minister excessive powers
(MISA/IFEX) – Civic groups said the Broadcasting Services Act 2001 gives Information and Publicity Minister Jonathan Moyo excessive powers, “The Daily News” reported on 7 April 2001. The groups said the new act, currently awaiting President Mugabe’s signature, would enable the minister to control any new private radio and television stations and community radio stations, […]
Zimbabwe press union opposes foreign control of local media
(MISA/IFEX) – In what seems like a stance identical to that of the ruling establishment, which advocates limiting media ownership to nationals, on Saturday 7 April 2001, Zimbabwean journalists intimated that they were opposed to foreign control of local media. The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) accused former colonial power Britain of trying to strengthen […]
Possible state of emergency declaration threatens independent media
(MISA/IFEX) – The Zimbabwean government may declare a state of emergency if calls for sanctions succeed in Europe and the United States, “The Herald” and “The Daily News” reported on 6 April 2001. Speaking in parliament on Thursday 5 April, Minister of Foreign Affairs Stan Mudenge said that if a state of emergency is imposed, […]
MP and editors denounce new Broadcasting Services Bill
(MISA/IFEX) – Opposition Movement for Democratic Change Member of Parliament Welshman Ncube, a member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, has said the new Broadcasting Services Bill was fast-tracked because the government did not want to leave the sector without regulations, “The Daily News” reported on 6 April 2001. Ncube said the broadcasting bill was “a […]