Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Police official fined for contempt; government appoints broadcasting board
(MISA/IFEX) – On 16 October 2000, the Zimbabwe High Court fined Assistant Police Commissioner Libermann Ndlovu ZW$3000 (approx. US$56.60) or thirty days in jail for defying a lawful order issued by Judge Chatikobo on 4 October. However, the court exonerated Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri from the matter. Justice Gwaunza said she had considered his explanation […]
Government bureaucrats dominate Film Censorship Board
(MISA/IFEX) – On 4 October 2000, Zambia’s Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Newsted Zimba named a thirteen-member team, dominated by civil servants, to serve on the country’s Film Censorship Board. The board is headed by Zimba’s permanent secretary, Susan Sikaneta, as chairperson, and her deputy as vice-chairperson. Other board members include a press secretary from […]
MISA-Malawi condemns harassment of journalists
(MISA/IFEX) – The Malawi chapter of MISA (MISA-Malawi) has condemned the harassment of journalists covering a soccer match in Blantyre on 7 October 2000. Journalists in Malawi normally gain entry to sport stadiums free of charge, but at a Super League football match on 7 October, a football official allegedly instructed police manning the entry […]
Media analysts condemn “draconian” new broadcasting regulations
(MISA/IFEX) – The Zimbabwean government’s temporary measures to regulate broadcasting represent an undisguised freezing – and not freeing – of the airwaves, according to media analysts quoted in the “Zimbabwe Independent” newspaper. Commentators quoted by the newspaper said the legislation signified an attempt to contain a growing crisis unleashed by a Supreme Court decision to […]
Suspended editor demoted
(MISA/IFEX) – Rankin Nyekanyeka, editor of the “Daily Times” – one of only two daily newspapers in Malawi – has been demoted four steps down following his suspension over an editorial decision in August 2000. Nyekanyeka was suspended on 28 August for allegedly not leading with a story about President Bakili Muluzi opening a plastic […]
Police hold onto broadcaster’s equipment, minister makes pronouncement on possible licence application, second station shut down
(MISA/IFEX) – On 9 October 2000, the Zimbabwe High Court reserved judgement in the matter involving Capital Radio and the government, allowing police to hold onto the equipment it seized, returned and then re-seized from the radio station on 6 October. Reserving her judgement, Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza said she needed time to look at the […]
Harassment of newspaper extends to violence against vendor
(MISA/IFEX) – “The Chronicle” newspaper reported that a group of United Democratic Front (UDF) Young Democrats beat up a news vendor until he lost consciousness because he was selling the newspaper in Blantyre. The incident happened during the first week of October 2000. The vendor was admitted to hospital with head injuries. A close relative […]
Capitol Radio prohibited from broadcasting until frequency is granted
(MISA/IFEX) – On 5 October 2000, police dismantled and seized Capitol Radio’s broadcasting equipment, from its studio at the Monomotapa Hotel in Harare. The equipment included a CD player, console, mixer, microphone, amplifier, multiplex generator, modular, coaxial cables and an antenna. The seized equipment was reportedly still in police custody late at night on 5 […]