(MISA/IFEX) - The state-owned daily newspaper "The Chronicle" has called for the government to ban Zimbabwe's only private daily newspaper, "The Daily News", for what it calls "abuse of journalistic privilege." The call was made in the newspaper's 3 May 2002 edition, which ironically is celebrated internationally as World Press Freedom Day.
In a front-page lead story, "The Chronicle", which is based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city, said the arrests of "irresponsible" journalists are insufficient. Quoting "analysts" Godfrey Chikowore, Norman Mlambo and Rino Zhuwarara of the University of Zimbabwe, the newspaper said that such newspapers as "The Daily News" should not be allowed to exist. "There should be high penalties for newspapers which seek to compromise efforts by the people of Zimbabwe to peacefully participate in national, regional and international development processes," said Chikowore.
Chikowore added that "The Daily News" had sought to subvert the reality of the political, economic and social situation in Zimbabwe. Zhuwarara said that "people are in a hurry to publish without verifying facts." He also called "The Daily News" a "tabloid, which does not seek to develop but to destroy." Zhuwarara is a member of the government-appointed Media Ethics Committee.
"The Chronicle" went on to list alleged lies "The Daily News" has published.
In a front-page lead story, "The Chronicle", which is based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city, said the arrests of "irresponsible" journalists are insufficient. Quoting "analysts" Godfrey Chikowore, Norman Mlambo and Rino Zhuwarara of the University of Zimbabwe, the newspaper said that such newspapers as "The Daily News" should not be allowed to exist. "There should be high penalties for newspapers which seek to compromise efforts by the people of Zimbabwe to peacefully participate in national, regional and international development processes," said Chikowore.
Chikowore added that "The Daily News" had sought to subvert the reality of the political, economic and social situation in Zimbabwe. Zhuwarara said that "people are in a hurry to publish without verifying facts." He also called "The Daily News" a "tabloid, which does not seek to develop but to destroy." Zhuwarara is a member of the government-appointed Media Ethics Committee.
"The Chronicle" went on to list alleged lies "The Daily News" has published.