(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe told church leaders that journalists who write what he termed “libelous reports” would be arrested. Mugabe said this in a meeting with Zimbabwe’s church leaders at his offices on 16 December 2001. The church leaders asked Mugabe to uphold press freedom, especially the right to balanced reporting. However, Mugabe […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe told church leaders that journalists who write what he termed “libelous reports” would be arrested. Mugabe said this in a meeting with Zimbabwe’s church leaders at his offices on 16 December 2001.
The church leaders asked Mugabe to uphold press freedom, especially the right to balanced reporting. However, Mugabe replied that journalists and editors should not enjoy more rights and freedoms than other citizens. “The media has been assaulting the integrity of private citizens and public citizens. In my view, an assault on one’s integrity is even worse than an assault in physical terms,” said Mugabe.
Mugabe made reference to “libelous” reports, which were not properly attributed or attributed to “unreliable sources.” “If these sources are reliable, let them be reliable enough to come and rescue you when you are arrested,” boasted Mugabe.
Mugabe also made reference to foreign funding of the media that he said was destabilising the country. He said this was not only peculiar to Zimbabwe, but was happening in Zambia as well. Mugabe said he is particularly incensed by media reports that he has properties in Europe, particularly Scotland. “Why should I go and buy property there? I have not a single cent outside the country. I have told them to take that money and give it to charity, if they find it. If I have any money I would keep it here,” said Mugabe.
The Zimbabwean government is in the process of enacting an Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill (see IFEX alerts of 8 January 2002, 14 and 3 December, 29 October, 2 August, 25 July, 26 June, 9 April and 13 March 2001) and a Public Order and Security Bill (see IFEX alerts of 29, 23 and 21 November 2001). These two bills will significantly limit and restrict the operations of the media in Zimbabwe. Journalists and media houses would have to be licensed, foreign correspondents would be banned and a number of limitations put on what journalists can report on.
