IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT UPDATE - ZIMBABWE

5 December 2002

State drops charges against journalists from "The Standard"

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

**Updates IFEX alerts of 22 and 17 May 2002**

(MISA/IFEX) - On 4 December 2002, a major victory for press freedom in Zimbabwe
was won when a Harare magistrate dropped charges against three journalists from
"The Standard". The three journalists were accused of publishing falsehoods
under the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

Editor Bornwell Chakaodza, senior reporter Farai Mutsaka and entertainment
editor Fungayi Kanyuchi, all from "The Standard", were arrested on 16 May.
Chakaodza and Mutsaka were charged for publishing a story revealing that the
government had bought heavy anti-riot gear from Israeli arms manufacturer Beit
Alfa Trailer. The government disputed the story despite confirmation from then
Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres.

Chakaodza, along with Kanyuchi, also faced charges over a story that highlighted
"sex for freedom deals" involving members of the police force and prostitutes in
Harare.

The three journalists, who had been on conditional bail since May, applied to
have the charges dropped if the state failed to set a trial date by 4 December.

In granting the application, Magistrate Garikayi Churu stated that the state
could proceed by way of summons, if the need arose.

Soon after leaving the Magistrates' Court, Chakaodza stated, "There was never
any case at all. It was just sheer political harassment and a waste of time and
money on both ourselves, the police and the state."

"However, this represents yet another major defeat for [Information Minister]
Jonathan Moyo and very soon he will have nowhere to run. It also marks yet
another milestone in our quest to emancipate the Zimbabwean media from the jaws
of oppression," he noted with delight.

BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year, the government enacted the AIPPA, which requires all
journalists and media houses to be licenced by the information minister. The law
also criminalises journalism by stating that anyone who publishes a story which
is deemed to be inaccurate by the government could face imprisonment. Since its
inception, the law has been used to victimise journalists from the independent
media. Thus far, 12 independent media journalists have been arrested under the
AIPPA.

The Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (IJAZ) is challenging the
constitutionality of the AIPPA in the Supreme Court. Judgment on the appeal is
expected early next year (see IFEX alerts of 25 November, 31, 23 and 17 October,
20 and 19 June, 21 and 18 March, 18 and 1 February, 25 and 21 January 2002 and
others).

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975, fax:
+264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected], Internet:
http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert update is the sole responsibility of
MISA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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