US Ambassador writes to ZBC

US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bruce Wharton wrote to ZBC group chief executive officer Mr Happison Muchechetere expressing concern over the way the national broadcaster was conducting its business.

Mr Wharton indicated in the letter that he would not distribute or share the letter with the media, political parties or civil society organizations.

In the letter, dated July 1 2013, Mr Wharton expressed concern about lack of access by some political parties to ZBC.

"In seeking to support peaceful, credible and transparent elections in Zimbabwe, elections that will strengthen the nation at home, in the region and internationally, I believe it is crucial to respect Zimbabwean law, the Global Political Agreement, and the Sadc guidelines on elections.

"In that context, I wish to express concern about lack of access by political parties to ZBC, a situation which appears to run counter to these guidelines," said Mr Wharton.

He applauded ZBC for making statements that it will comply with electoral guidelines in providing access to candidates from all political parties.

The ambassador went further saying the credibility of the coming elections hinged on the national broadcaster giving fair coverage to all political parties.

"This letter is an expression of my desire to support a credible electoral process in Zimbabwe and be clear about the elements I believe are important in that process. I will not distribute or share this letter with media, political parties, or civil society organisations," said Mr Wharton.

Commenting on the letter, Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity Mr George Charamba said it was unheard of for an ambassador to write to the executive of a parastatal, leaving proper channels in Government.

"The US government has invaded our airwaves through Studio 7 which is hosted by VOA.

"It seems as if it's not enough for them to invade our airwaves, they now want to go a step further to invade our national newsroom, but the bright side of this invasion is that

Mr Wharton is acknowledging that his Studio 7 has failed to be a substitute for the national broadcaster. The airwaves regime change plot has failed just like its political counterpart," Mr Charamba said.

He added that it appeared as if Mr Wharton wanted to be a MDC councillor in Harare, considering his interest in Zimbabwe's domestic politics.

"It's unheard of for an ambassador, especially from a perceived super power like America to write to an executive of a parastatal.

He can't even write to the President and there he is writing to the executive of a parastatal jumping foreign affairs, which is his country's contact point. He skips the ministry of Media, Information and Publicity which is responsible for the media and leaps past the ZBC board which is the governing authority at the parastatal and lands on the desk of Mr Muchechetere. Ooh, how the mighty have fallen!

"I am very happy that the ambassador is aware of the GPA and its various demands. I hope he can now tell his government that in this very important document called the GPA, there is some reference to pirate radio stations which must stop invading our airwaves. One of these pirate radio stations is Studio 7, which is funded by the Americans," said Cde Charamba.

Former Media, Information and Publicity Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo weighed in saying: "How can the ambassador of a country that is funding Studio 7 try to lecture to us how ZBC should conduct its business? His hands are dirty, his mouth is dirty and he must be advised to shut up because that pirate radio station, Studio 7 is not only violating Zimbabwean laws, the GPA and Sadc guidelines but also international law.

"Nobody needs a lecture from this outpost of tyranny called America. They call ZBC, 'dead BC' so is the ambassador seeking to go to the grave with ZBC?

"Our elections will be free and fair if America and its friends including a neighbouring country leave us alone," Prof Moyo said.