International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)

PRESS RELEASE



The following is a joint statement by IFJ, MISA, members of the
Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO), and other
organisations:

Statement of the Zimbabwe Fact Finding Mission of African Media
Organisations

13 June 2008: Harare, Zimbabwe - From June 8 to13, a mission made up of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ Africa Office based in
Senegal), the Southern Africa Editors' Forum (SAEF), the Southern Africa
Journalists Association (SAJA), the Media Institute of Southern Africa
(MISA) Regional Office and the Network of African Freedom of Expression
Organisations (NAFEO), visited Zimbabwe on a fact-finding mission to
ascertain the conditions of media and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe in
the light of the arrests of journalists, both local and foreign, and the
deteriorating freedom of expression environment. This mission also comes in
the context of the forthcoming Presidential run-off election slated for 27
June 2008.

The mission met a number of Zimbabwean journalists, editors and media owners working in urban, peri-urban and rural areas and a cross section of
representatives of local civic organisations working countrywide. The
mission expresses its shock at the level of fear pervading the Zimbabwe
media and society at large. The mission talked to journalists who had been
arrested on flimsy charges, beaten and had their property confiscated and in
some cases destroyed. Journalists operate under the constant fear of being
abducted, arrested, detained or beaten for doing their work. At the time of
this fact-finding visit, the mission notes that there are three foreign
media workers in state prison on charges of breaching broadcasting and
telecommunication laws. At the same time, workers of a media monitoring and advocacy organisation were arrested and released after four days for
allegedly organising an "illegal meeting". Some of these organisations were
also raided and threatened with closure for allegedly working with the media
against the government.

In interviews with various players in the media as well as civic
organisations, it is clear that Zimbabwe's media is operating under
tremendous pressure from the state and security agents, as well as non-state
actors such as youth militia, ZANU PF supporters and war veterans. Almost
all those interviewed, especially freelance journalists, tell harrowing and
saddening stories of arrests, beatings and intimidation. Zimbabwean
journalists face a difficult operating environment in which they are not
only expected to be licensed by a government appointed Media and Information Commission (MIC), but have to brave political violence and the challenges of a failing economy. Those journalists working for the state media live in fear of being fired or suspended for not showing sufficient enthusiasm in their coverage of the party in power.

Laws that include the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Access to
Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) are being used with
impunity to narrow the operating space for journalists. The mission was told
that unlicensed journalists face a daily task of avoiding arrest. More so,
the licensed journalists cannot travel outside the city centres to cover
rural areas out of fear for security agents and militia who have set up base
in rural areas. The combined effect is that Zimbabweans in general lack
access to election related information to empower them to make informed
choices. In the past five years, four newspapers were banned. A few weeks
ago 60,000 copies and a truck belonging to The Zimbabwean newspaper printed outside the country were petrol-bombed by unknown assailants. This situation is worsened by the imposition of a punitive duty on all foreign
publications. This situation is worsened by the harassment, arrests and
threats on human rights defenders, including media and human rights lawyers.

Media lawyers have been arrested and others have fled the country, fearing
for their lives.

The few remaining independent newspapers in Zimbabwe face the challenge of surviving a harsh economic environment in which almost all inputs are
imported. Apart from the shortages of equipment, print consumables and
newsprint, the government imposes price restrictions on newspapers and other publications through the National Incomes and Pricing Commission.
Independent newspapers in Zimbabwe, which do not have government subsidies, are therefore struggling to break even. The economic challenges that the independent media are facing, combined with the arrests, threats and
harassment, has meant that this media is barely surviving and their impact
as alternative sources of information is severely curtailed.

The mission noted that the accreditation of foreign journalists and media
organisations is at the discretion of the MIC and in this election the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Consequently, a number of local and
foreign journalists have been denied accreditation to cover elections.

The mission observed that the state media is under strict control by the
party in power as an exclusive campaign tool. A simple monitoring of the
content of the state owned newspapers and broadcast news bulletins over the
period of the visit show biased reporting embedded in hate language. The
state media is thus contributing to the heightening of political tensions in
Zimbabwe through its reportage, especially by making allegations of
political violence being perpetrated by the opposition without conclusive
police investigations. The mission also noted that the harassment of
journalists in state media is meant to inculcate fear and an unquestioning
loyalty. At the time of our visit, seven journalists were under suspension
and the Zimbabwean Broadcast Corporation (ZBC) CEO had recently been fired.
The purge of state media is meant to remove any form of professionalism and
create compliant and unquestioning reporters.

The mission came to the conclusion that the media and freedom of expression
environment is severely constrained. The mission further notes that no
proper and professional media work can take place in Zimbabwe under the
circumstances, to allow for free and fair elections. The mission takes note
and congratulates brave Zimbabwean journalists and independent newspapers
who still express interest of continuing with their work despite all these
daunting challenges.

In light of the media and freedom of expression environment in Zimbabwe, the
mission recommends that:

- the regional and international community monitor the situation of
journalists and independent media and ensure that this issue is maintained
on the regional and international public agenda.

- regional and international organisations make preparations to assist
Zimbabwean journalists and media outlets who might be forced into either
leaving the country or into seeking medical or legal assistance.

- pressure be maintained on the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) by the regional and international community to resolve the deepening
political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe that affects the ability of the
media to perform their duties in informing the Zimbabwe people.

- the SADC and AU observer missions prevail upon the government of Zimbabwe to allow greater observance and monitoring of the election process by the international community and ensure the security and freedoms of journalists and the media in Zimbabwe.

The full report of the mission is forthcoming.