News / National
Jonathan Moyo slams police actions
03 May 2014 at 20:47hrs | Views
The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Professor Jonathan Moyo has condemned the cancellation and disruption of World Press Freedom Day commemorations by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Harare on Saturday.
In a statement, Professor Moyo said the cancellation at the 11th hour is unfortunate, as the police had initially sanctioned the national commemoration, which is an annual international event under the auspices of the United Nations since 1993.
Professor Moyo said this year's official commemoration was not only in line with Zimbabwe's obligations as a state party to the UN but also in accordance with Zimbabwe's new constitution.
He said the move, which was taken without prior reference to stakeholders involved including his ministry, is neither in the public nor national interest, as it is unconstitutional, not transparent and without justification.
Minister Moyo, however, expressed his appreciation for the sterling works done in preparation for the official commemoration of the day by all the stakeholders.
He said his ministry will liaise with the local UNESCO office to reschedule the event.
The Minister added that the spirit of collective responsibility should remain as the beacon of a nationally grounded media which claims its constitutional rights for the sake of national prosperity, and not for self indulgent or other sinister purposes.
He said it is important for all stakeholders to understand that with the advent of the new constitution, which came into effect upon the inauguration of President Robert Mugabe in August last year, freedom of the media in Zimbabwe is now a constitutional matter which none has a right to ignore.
The UN General Assembly declared May 3rd to be the World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.
In a statement, Professor Moyo said the cancellation at the 11th hour is unfortunate, as the police had initially sanctioned the national commemoration, which is an annual international event under the auspices of the United Nations since 1993.
Professor Moyo said this year's official commemoration was not only in line with Zimbabwe's obligations as a state party to the UN but also in accordance with Zimbabwe's new constitution.
He said the move, which was taken without prior reference to stakeholders involved including his ministry, is neither in the public nor national interest, as it is unconstitutional, not transparent and without justification.
Minister Moyo, however, expressed his appreciation for the sterling works done in preparation for the official commemoration of the day by all the stakeholders.
The Minister added that the spirit of collective responsibility should remain as the beacon of a nationally grounded media which claims its constitutional rights for the sake of national prosperity, and not for self indulgent or other sinister purposes.
He said it is important for all stakeholders to understand that with the advent of the new constitution, which came into effect upon the inauguration of President Robert Mugabe in August last year, freedom of the media in Zimbabwe is now a constitutional matter which none has a right to ignore.
The UN General Assembly declared May 3rd to be the World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.
Source - zbc
