By 
The Zimbabwe Online Content Creators (ZOCC) has condemned the banning of the private media from covering the Zanu PF 2022 Congress.
Private media that were denied access to cover the Congress include, AMH Holdings (NewsDay, Heart and Soul, The Standard, NewsDayWeekender) TechMagTV, and NewZimbabwe.com.
In a statement, the Chairperson of ZOCC Toneo Rutsito emphasised that both Private and State owned media must be accorded access to information as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“We have noted with great concern the continued shrinking of media space in Zimbabwe after the ruling party Zanu PF banned independent media houses to cover their ongoing elective congress in Harare.
“This is a shocking, retrogressive and regrettable move particularly by a governing party and new dispensation which must be divorced from the old dispensation which had excessive and repressive media laws.
“ZANU PF has categorically blocked all the country’s independent media houses, except those that are state controlled or owned from covering their congress.
“We reiterate that the media as the fourth estate is a pillar of democracy and has a key oversight role to play and report matters of public interest on both private and public institutions,” said ZOCC.
ZOCC added that the act of blocking the media is a direct attack against press freedom.
“While we are awaken to the fact that ZANU PF is not a public institution, as a governing party, this act of blocking media access is against the spirit of reform and progression, and a direct attack against press freedom.
“While the government has been doing very well in media reforms, the ruling party has divorced itself from such.
“Sadly, the issue of “shrinking media space” has become a notable phenomenon in Zimbabwe after several reports have indicated that journalists, particularly from the private media have on numerous occasions been denied access to cover some government sanctioned functions.
“Prior to the latest development, the first lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa was also on record for blocking private media houses, demanding only public broadcasters’ access despite the fact that most of her events are state funded.”
Media Institute of Southern Africa ( MISA) Zimbabwe Chairperson Golden Maunganidze also denounced the act of blocking journalist form covering Zanu PF Congress.
“Zanu PF congress is very important in terms of the outcomes that have a bearing on people’s expectations. They trigger national interests among Zimbabweans and journalists should be there and be allowed to cover events,” he said.
Comments