News / National
MDC-T's attack on journalist disgraceful, says Dumisani Muleya
08 Jun 2013 at 06:06hrs | Views
MDC-T youths yesterday allegedly assaulted Zimbabwe Independent journalist Herbert Moyo and barred him from covering a demonstration at Harvest House and Dumisani Muleya, the ZimInd editor has labelled the act disgraceful especially from a party that claimed to support media freedom was disgraceful.
Moyo was covering a demonstration by the party's Sunningdale members over imposition of candidates in the constituency.
The youths dragged Moyo inside Harvest House where they continued to beat him up.
Muleya said the attack on Moyo by a party that claimed to support media freedom was disgraceful.
"The assault of our reporter, Herbert Moyo by MDC-T members right inside the party's headquarters is an outrage that must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Such acts of barbarity must not be tolerated in a civilised and democratic society," Muleya said.
"It is shocking and disgraceful that a journalist can be assaulted while trying to do his job by members of a party which claims to respect, embrace and uphold media freedom, among other democratic imperatives."
Muleya added that if the MDC-T wanted to be taken seriously as an enlightened and progressive party, then something had to be done about the assault.
"We urge MDC-T leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to act on this issue and bring to account the cowardly perpetrators of this uncalled-for brutality," he said.
"As we approach the high stakes general elections in months ahead, we would like to urge political parties, their members and leaders to behave with restrain and desist from harassing, intimidating and attacking journalists doing their job."
Zimbabwe Media Commission chairperson, Mr Godfrey Majonga said the commission frowned at organisations that attacked journalists while carrying out their duties.
Misa-Zimbabwe Director, Mr Nhlanhla Ngwenya had no kind words for the MDC-T.
"Our position as Misa-Zimbabwe is that we don't condone an assault on journalists regardless of which organisation they work for.
"An assault on a journalist who is being victimized in the course of duty can never, whatever the circumstance be condoned.
"It is even worse for a party that all along claimed to promote and protect civil liberties among which is freedom of expression and media freedom.
"We Misa-Zimbabwe, we call upon the leadership of the MDC-T to bring to book all those that have been implicated in the assault and harassment of the two journalists in Harare and Bulawayo respectively. They should walk the talk and that begins with the processes and events with their own control," said Mr Ngwenya.
ZUJ acting president Michael Chideme condemned the attack while hinting that journalists would boycott activities of violent political parties.
"ZUJ has learnt with a deep sense of pain that attack on Herbert Moyo. The union condemns any form of attack on media workers during the course of their work.
"We call upon political parties to restrain their supporters from engaging in violence. If attacks on the media continue journalists may consider boycotting covering of violent political parties and individuals for an injury to one is an injury to all," said Chideme.
Moyo was covering a demonstration by the party's Sunningdale members over imposition of candidates in the constituency.
The youths dragged Moyo inside Harvest House where they continued to beat him up.
Muleya said the attack on Moyo by a party that claimed to support media freedom was disgraceful.
"The assault of our reporter, Herbert Moyo by MDC-T members right inside the party's headquarters is an outrage that must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Such acts of barbarity must not be tolerated in a civilised and democratic society," Muleya said.
"It is shocking and disgraceful that a journalist can be assaulted while trying to do his job by members of a party which claims to respect, embrace and uphold media freedom, among other democratic imperatives."
Muleya added that if the MDC-T wanted to be taken seriously as an enlightened and progressive party, then something had to be done about the assault.
"We urge MDC-T leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to act on this issue and bring to account the cowardly perpetrators of this uncalled-for brutality," he said.
"As we approach the high stakes general elections in months ahead, we would like to urge political parties, their members and leaders to behave with restrain and desist from harassing, intimidating and attacking journalists doing their job."
Zimbabwe Media Commission chairperson, Mr Godfrey Majonga said the commission frowned at organisations that attacked journalists while carrying out their duties.
Misa-Zimbabwe Director, Mr Nhlanhla Ngwenya had no kind words for the MDC-T.
"Our position as Misa-Zimbabwe is that we don't condone an assault on journalists regardless of which organisation they work for.
"An assault on a journalist who is being victimized in the course of duty can never, whatever the circumstance be condoned.
"It is even worse for a party that all along claimed to promote and protect civil liberties among which is freedom of expression and media freedom.
"We Misa-Zimbabwe, we call upon the leadership of the MDC-T to bring to book all those that have been implicated in the assault and harassment of the two journalists in Harare and Bulawayo respectively. They should walk the talk and that begins with the processes and events with their own control," said Mr Ngwenya.
ZUJ acting president Michael Chideme condemned the attack while hinting that journalists would boycott activities of violent political parties.
"ZUJ has learnt with a deep sense of pain that attack on Herbert Moyo. The union condemns any form of attack on media workers during the course of their work.
"We call upon political parties to restrain their supporters from engaging in violence. If attacks on the media continue journalists may consider boycotting covering of violent political parties and individuals for an injury to one is an injury to all," said Chideme.
Source - newsday
