Alert Update
22 January 2004

The Daily News hit the streets

The Daily News, banned since September 12 2003, has reappeared on the streets. The popular daily paper is published by the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ).

The reappearance of the paper follows a High Court order on 21 January ordering that the police leave the premises of the media house. And also stop interfering with the operations of the newspaper group. The government says that paper must remain shut since it is operating without a license.

Samuel Sipepa Nkomo the ANZ Chief Executive Officer said in a statement that that paper was back on the streets.

“We are publishing this issue just to let you know that we are back. We thank you for your support”, said Nkomo.

Nkomo added that the stories in the issue were meant to be published on 20 December. The police however moved in on the paper's premises and stopped its publication.

Background

The Attorney General’s office on 21 January 2004 said police and Media and Information Commission are in defiance of the law. The AG`s Office said the police and the government appointed Media and Information Commission were not taking heed of its advice to vacate the premises of the (ANZ). The AG’s office said this as ANZ was granted a second high court order for the police to vacate its premises. The High court order follows similar rulings by the Administrative court that the police leave the ANZ premises and also return seized equipment.

END

Rashweat Mukundu
Research and Information Officer
MISA-Zimbabwe
84 McChlery Ave
Eastlea
Box HR 8113
Harare
Zimbabwe
Phone 00 263 4 7761 65
Mobile 00 263 11 602 685
E mail [email protected]