15 June 2005

Alert

Former "Daily News" journalists served with summonses


Incident details

Margaret Chinowaita, Taka Mparutsa, Conway Tutani, Darlington Majonga, Fanwell Jongwe, Pedzisayi Ruhanya, Macdonald Dzirutwe, Cornelia Mabasa

journalist(s)

charged
(MISA/IFEX) - Eight journalists who worked for the now banned "Daily News" have been summoned to appear in court on charges of "practicing journalism without accreditation" under the terms of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

The journalists were initially expected to appear in court on 13 June 2005, but the matter was deferred as more journalists were still to be served with similar summonses.

On 13 June, officials at the Harare Magistrates Court told Margaret Chinowaita, Taka Mparutsa, Conway Tutani, Darlington Majonga, Fanwell Jongwe, Pedzisayi Ruhanya, Macdonald Dzirutwe and Cornelia Mabasa to appear in court on 12 October.

Most of the journalists have since secured employment elsewhere. The "Daily News" and "Daily News on Sunday" were closed after the Supreme Court ruled that Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe was operating illegally, as the publishing company was not registered with the Media and Information Commission as required under the AIPPA.

John Gambanga, editor of the "Daily News", told MISA-Zimbabwe that more journalists from the banned publication were set to appear in court. The police have not yet been able to serve them with summonses because they did not know their residential addresses.

If convicted, the journalists risk spending two years in jail for "practicing journalism without accreditation" under the AIPPA.

A trial date has already been set for 1 August for their colleague Kelvin Jakachira, who is facing similar charges of contravening Section 83 (1), Chapter 10:27 of the AIPPA.



Source:

Media Institute of Southern Africa
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
director (@) misa.org
Phone: +264 61 232975
Fax: +264 61 248016
 

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More on this case

Reporter attacked as newspaper resumes publishing after seven-year ban 30 March 2011 Three independent dailies allowed to resume publishing after almost seven years of censorship 28 May 2010 Mix of hope and resignation about return of independent press 22 April 2010 Special committee gives go ahead for "Daily News" licence 31 July 2009 Charges against ANZ journalists dropped 31 October 2005 Former "Daily News" journalist acquitted in important test case 2 September 2005 Journalist faces trial over accusation of practicing journalism without accreditation 31 May 2005 Three journalists arrested, "The Daily News" still banned 12 January 2004 RSF calls for reopening of "The Daily News" printing press 22 December 2003 Publishers of "The Daily News" seek order to resume operations 14 November 2003 ANZ chief executive's niece released 29 October 2003 Four ANZ directors arrested, another director released 28 October 2003 Six more charged for practicing journalism without MIC accreditation 3 October 2003

Zimbabwe

Foreign newspapers to be banned 6 February 2012 Charges against MMPZ staffers reduced 26 January 2012 Detained MMPZ staff freed on bail; journalist questioned 22 December 2011 Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe personnel denied freedom 13 December 2011 Unlawful detention and harassment of Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe personnel 7 December 2011 See all alerts: Zimbabwe


 
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