Zuj hails Jonathan Moyo for condemning arrest of journalists

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) has hailed Information Media and Broadcasting Services Jonathan Moyo on his is position in the use of criminal defamation laws to settle personal media disputes.

Moyo attacked the criminal defamation law this week following the arrest of Daily News group editor in chief Stanley Gama and reporter Fungi Kwaramba for allegedly criminally defaming a Harare businessman.

Moyo condemned that abuse of the piece of legislation by prominent people to settle scores with journalists.

ZUJ secretary general Foster Dongozi said the abuse of  criminal defamation has resulted in the arrest of journalists.

"ZUJ shares similar sentiments that the use of criminal defamation laws is outdated and therefore without place in a democratic Zimbabwe," Dongozi said.

He said the International demonization that Zimbabwe has faced over the years has partly been caused by the use of criminal defamation laws against journalists.

"As Zimbabwe seeks to rebrand and rebuild after years of Isolation from some countries, ZUJ urges all true patriotic  Zimbabweans to be part of the rebuilding process and not continue with activities that may soil the country's image, such as getting journalists arrested," Dongozi said.

"As Professor Moyo put it, criminal defamation belongs to the medieval era."