In the latest onslaught on press freedom, the states spy agency last week jammed news broadcasts from the London-based SW Radio Africa
The CIO jammed the first half hour of SW Radio Africas Newsreel on September 1, drowning out the news segment by a heavy noise that sounded like a slow playing record.
The radio station, which is run by exiled Zimbabweans, said jamming tests have been carried out on its frequencies during the past few weeks as various radio hams around the world have been sending us regular reports of a faintly audible music loop.
News bulletin
Unfortunately it was confirmed that these were tests, as jamming began in earnest last night (1st September). It appears to be specifically targeting our news bulletin. This could be because there are power shortages/lack of funds to target the entire broadcast, SW Radio said in a statement.
This is the second time the CIO has targeted SW Radio Africa broadcasts in five years.
In 2005 the then Zanu (PF)-led government of President Robert Mugabe jammed SW Radio Africa frequencies just before the controversial urban slum demolition programme codenamed Operation Murambatsvina.
The jamming was then extended to include signals from Voice of Americas Studio 7 in clear violation of international laws.
Rights groups criticised the latest media onslaught which is taking place right under the noses of the two MDC formations led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Premier Arthur Mutambara.
Pressure group Sokwanele expressed shock that the presence of the MDC formations in the coalition government has not deterred Zanu (PF) from undermining peoples freedoms.
SWRA have been jammed before, but …this instance conveys shock at the fact that, this time, the jamming is happening under the inclusive government which includes former opposition parties that have supposedly fought for democratic principles, Sokwanele said.
SW Radio said it would be seeking clarification on the issue from both Zanu (PF) and MDC ministers.
Licences
We will, of course, be relentless in trying to get hold of the various ministers from both the MDC and ZPF to hold them to account for the fact that we are supposed to be moving forward to greater media and information freedom, the station said.
The status of SW Radio station and Studio 7 is one of the outstanding issues that has threatened to derail Zimbabwes fragile unity regime, with Zanu (PF) insisting that the pirate stations stop broadcasting into the country.
The government has however delayed in issuing new licences to private radio and television stations in a move meant to preserve the monopoly of the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) which churns out pro-Mugabe propaganda.
Zanu (PF) has been resisting opening up the airwaves, long dominated by partisan state national broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Mugabe and Tsvangirai agreed to name new members of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, which issues licences to radio and television broadcasters, but critics say Zanu (PF) is dragging its feet, fearing the entrance of private players would end ZBCs monopoly.
It has so far allowed token media reforms, including the licensing of nine private newspapers since May.
Hardliner elements
Analysts believe however that the freedom of press and expression remains under threat from hardliner elements in Zanu (PF).
They say the banning of paintings by prominent visual artist Owen Maseko on the Gukurahundi massacres in the southern part of Zimbabwe during the early years of independence was yet another illustration of Zanu (PF)s intolerance of freedom of expression.
The massacres, which civil society groups say left 20 000 mostly innocent civilians dead, are a sore point in the countrys history that Mugabe has always sought to avoid and sought to sweep under the carpet.
The government more than a week ago took the unusual step of enacting the ban on Masekos exhibition in a weekly government gazette.
And the Media Institute of Southern Africa reported last week that that a Kwekwe-based freelance journalist in the Midlands province was arrested and later released for taking pictures of the statue of the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo in Bulawayo in a classic case of harassment.
The police routinely use AIPPA and security legislation to harass and deny journalists access to information and ban civic society activities. Zanu (PF) is against the repeal of the laws.
Post published in: News