MASVINGO Information Minister Webster Shamu has defended the draconian media and security laws enacted by the previous Zanu PF-led government, saying the legislation was necessary to protect the national interest.In a statement last week Shamu said: (The) Access to Information and Protection of privacy Act, the Broadcasting Services Act, Public Order and Security Act and other pieces of legislation (were) deployed out of the governments desire and conviction that the news Zimbabweans receive is not manipulated for the purposes of harming our national interests.
Shamus statement was read on his behalf by a senior official from his ministry at a media workshop in Masvingo last week.
The information minister said the government accepts and recognises the freedom of the Press but he insisted that journalists had an obligation to protect and defend the national interest while carrying out their work.
Although Zimbabwes power-sharing government has promised to free the media, the country is still regarded as one of the most difficult and dangerous places in the world to operate as a journalist.
The laws defended by Shamu have been used exclusively to stifle dissent and criticism of President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF).
Post published in: Politics