The Paris-based organisation accused Harares coalition regime of insincerity after it implemented token media reforms that saw the licensing of at least eight private newspapers early this year. President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) has been resisting opening up the airwaves, long dominated by partisan state national broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
The relaxation seen in the print media is clearly not on the cards for the broadcast media. We urge the national unity government to clarify this situation without delay and to guarantee the right of access to information, Reporters Without Borders said.
Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan 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. Reporters Without Borders blasted the jamming of the frequencies used by London-based SW Radio Africa by the CIO.
The spy agency has since September 1 jammed SW Radio news broadcasts, drowning out the news segment by a heavy noise that sounded like a slow playing record. This is the second time the CIO has targeted SW Radio broadcasts in five years.
Mugabes then Zanu (PF)-dominated government used Chinese equipment to jam SW Radio, Voice of Americas Studio 7 and Radio Voice of the People (VOP) in 2005.
The president regarded them as pirate stations that were broadcasting to Zimbabwe with the sole aim of overthrowing him.
Post published in: News