I read online today that the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and his alleged ‘lover’ Aquilina Kayidza Pamberi, have both denied the allegations that they were having an affair. Was this one of those “unfounded and baseless” stories to “besmirch the person and office of the Prime Minister”? Read the stories from Newsday here and The Standard here

An appeal fromAVAAZ to sign a petition in support of WikiLeaks:

The chilling intimidation campaign against WikiLeaks (when they have broken no laws) is an attack on freedom of the press and democracy. We urgently need a massive public outcry to stop the crackdown — let’s get to 1 million voices and take out full page ads in US newspapers this week!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/wikileaks_petition/?vl

WikiLeaks isn’t acting alone — it’s partnered with the top newspapers in the world (New York Times, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, etc) to carefully review 250,000 US diplomatic cables and remove any information that it is irresponsible to publish. Only 800 cables have been published so far. Past WikiLeaks publications have exposed government-backed torture, the murder of innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, and corporate corruption.

The US government is currently pursuing all legal avenues to stop WikiLeaks from publishing more cables, but the laws of democracies protect freedom of the press. The US and other governments may not like the laws that protect our freedom of expression, but that’s exactly why it’s so important that we have them, and why only a democratic process can change them.

Reasonable people can disagree on whether WikiLeaks and the leading newspapers it’s partnered with are releasing more information than the public should see. Whether the releases undermine diplomatic confidentiality and whether that’s a good thing. Whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has the personal character of a hero or a villain. But none of this justifies a vicious campaign of intimidation to silence a legal media outlet by governments and corporations. Click below to join the call to stop the crackdown:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/wikileaks_petition/?vl

Ever wonder why the media so rarely gives the full story of what happens behind the scenes? This is why – because when they do, governments can be vicious in their response. And when that happens, it’s up to the public to stand up for our democratic rights to a free press and freedom of expression. Never has there been a more vital time for us to do so.

This list, which is by no means definitive and is in no particular order, is my way of celebrating the achievements of Zimbabweans. These are young people, living and working in Zimbabwe, and making a success of themselves.

Carl Joshua Ncube
Carl is a multi-talented animator, graphic designer, activist and storyteller. His skill lies in telling unusual stories in unusual ways. Carl wrote, directed and animated Zimbabwe’s first ever animated film series Nyami Nyami 1 and 2. He has directed Zimbabwe’s national awards shows including the National Arts and Merits Award and the Zimbabwe Music Awards. Lately, Carl has taken his story telling talent to the stage, in the comedy show ‘Carls Big announcement’.

Prudence Mabhena
She is a young singer, who along with the band Liyana has been featured in the Oscar winning documentary Music by Prudence. Despite having suffered abandonment and neglect in her childhood due to arthrogryphosis, Prudence Mabhena and her band have struggled, and triumphed. Prudence composes music in five languages, and even choreographs from her wheelchair. The film Music by Prudence has become the cornerstone of an advocacy campaign and has been embraced by the UN, Human Rights Watch and the disability community as an unprecedented portrayal advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Fungai James Tichawangana
Founder and creator of Aripano Infinity Fungai James is a digital entrepreneur, journalist and photographer. His mission in founding Aripano Infinity is to tell African stories. In his own words: “I build skyscrapers on the Internet. I take words from my head and put them on paper. I capture life in pixelated moments”. Aripano Infinity’s projects include Online Artist Promotions, Law and Justice in Zimbabwe, Zimbablog and the Zimbojam. Zimbojam is the premier online resource for news and information about Zimbabwe’s burgeoning entertainment industry. Wherever it is, whatever is happening Fungai is usually there with his camera.

Rumbi Katedza
Rumbi has worked extensively in film for the past decade. Her feature films include Danai and the multi award-winning Asylum. She is a writer whose story ‘Snowflakes in Winter’ was part of Weaver Press’ Women writing Zimbabwe collection. She served as Festival Director for the Zimbabwe International Film Festival from 2004 until 2006. Rumbi currently produces documentary and feature films with her production company Mai Jai Films.

Max Soutter
Max is the Managing Director of the Business Set-up Group, an organisation dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start up and grow businesses the smart way. He specialises in assisting Zimbabwean start-ups to grow. Max has worked with more than 200 businesses in 35 different countries.  He is an author who has written several books some of which are available for free download from his site. He also runs several blogs and websites and is a very active Internet strategist.

Talent Jumo
Talent is a woman with a big dream to transform the world. She is one of the coordinators of the Young Women’s Leadership Initiative (YOWLI). Yowli was formed in 2007 when a group of young women decided to break the silence and talk overtly about issues if sex and sexuality. Talent is passionate about feminism, and as an activist is deeply committed to working with young women. Her work is informed by her experiences as a young black woman from Africa, who was born and bred in an independent Zimbabwe, but is herself not free.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity, George Charamba, has stated that there will be no issuance of broadcasting licences to private players.

This despite the fact that it are more than two years since the signatories to the Global Political Agreement claimed, among other things, to be “[d]esirous of ensuring the opening up of the air waves and ensuring the operation of as many media houses as possible.”

The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) issued this response to Charamba’s statement:

ZACRAS response to George Charamba’s report to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee

The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) is dismayed by statements made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity, George Charamba, that there will be no issuance of broadcasting licences to private players.

According to Charamba, the government has no intention of issuing licences to private players in the near future until it has developed the capacity to monitor and regulate the activities of the new players. The Zimbabwe Independent of 12-18 November 2010, reported Charamba as having made these remarks when he appeared before the Media, Information and Communication Technology Parliamentary Portfolio Committee.

Recently, the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu, was reported as having acknowledged the need for the liberalisation of the airwaves so as to usher in independent radio and television stations. ZACRAS is now disturbed by these conflicting statements from Charamba. Charamba is a civil servant who is supposed to implement government policy, whereas Shamu enunciates these policies. The question which therefore comes to mind is who is running the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity; a government Minister or a mere Secretary?

Charamba went on to add that the current levels of investment in broadcasting infrastructure in the country creates no room for new entries as espoused by the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Presently, two of ZACRAS’ members, Radio Dialogue in Bulawayo, and CORAH in Harare, are equipped with broadcasting equipment which will enable them to start broadcasting once they are granted licences. Last year, Minister Shamu visited Radio Dialogue and was impressed by the station’s state of preparedness for broadcasting.

In 2005, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) invited applicants for broadcasting licenses. The question which one therefore asks is why BAZ would take such an initiative if the broadcasting infrastructure was really not permissible for entrance by new players?

The policy makers’ denial of licencing new broadcasting players is a blatant disregard of citizens’ right to access information from diverse sources. Attitudes such as these are not only retrogressive but are a major stumbling block towards the creation of a diverse and pluralist media environment. The delay in the proper reconstitution of BAZ, and the perennial piecemeal amendments to the repressive media laws, on its own, stands as testimony of a lack of political will on the part of policy makers to liberalise the airwaves.

The broadcasting frequency spectrum is a public resource. As such, it should be accessed by those who have means to utilize it and not be restricted by the dictates of those who seek political mileage.

ZACRAS acknowledges the need to regulate and monitor the use of the broadcasting frequency so as to guard against its abuse. However, it is ZACRAS’ view that frequency management and use should not be detrimental to the needs and aspirations of citizens.

It is ZACRAS’s conviction that the government has no part in regulating and monitoring the operations of broadcasters. ZACRAS believes that there is need for the setting up of an independent broadcasting regulatory authority. The independent broadcasting regulatory authority should be mandated with monitoring and regulating the broadcasting industry through issuance of licences and maintaining checks and balances on licence holders.

Needless to say, the selection into the independent broadcasting board should be done upon consultation with all relevant stakeholders and be as transparent as possible. Transparency will ensure the creation of a legitimate board whose operations are devoid of partisan political, economic or individual interests.

It is ZACRAS’s belief that instead of monitoring and regulating broadcasters, the government should concern itself with creating a conducive national policy framework for broadcasters, upon consultation with all concerned stake holders.

The establishment of community radios is an essential part of development, as it enables communities to devise development initiatives and strategies to tackle pertinent issues such as agriculture, mining, health, education, water and sanitation. To this end, ZACRAS remains committed to promoting the creation of an environment which promotes the establishment and licensing of community radios in Zimbabwe.

“Creating DMZs – Everyone’s Responsibility”

The Book Café, Fife Ave Mall (upstairs)
Thursday 25 November, 2010 – 5.30-7pm

Speakers: Jona Gokova (Crisis Coalition), Netty Musanhu (Musasa Project), 3rd Speaker (TBC) and Chaired by Sally Dura

This year marks the 20th 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, and with this important landmark, The Book Café Gender Forum takes cognizance of the struggles all around the world to fight all forms of violence.  The 2010 campaign theme is Structures of Violence: Defining the Intersections of Militarism and Violence Against Women.

How is this relevant to present day Zimbabwe?  It is important to note that Zimbabwe is not exempt from militarism, she is emerging from periods of gross human rights violations especially those that occurred in 2008 during the election campaign period as well as during the elections.

“To embrace militarism is to presume that everyone has enemies and that violence is an effective way to solve problems. To leave militaristic ways of thinking unchallenged is to leave certain forms of masculinities privileged, to leave global hierarchies of power firmly in place, to grant impunity to wartime perpetrators of violence against women.”

Recently there were spurts of violence during constitution outreach meetings and soon in 2011 Zimbabwe is expected to go through the electoral process again.  This comes too soon for a nation that is trying to heal from recent wounds.  How can men and women help create safe and tolerant communities let alone be safe whilst at it in a politically volatile situation?

The Book Café Gender Forum invites you to its one-year anniversary as well as engage in the discussion under the topic “Creating DMZs (demilitarised zones) – Everyone’s Responsibility.” Started in November, 2009 by Pamberi Trust an arts development organization based at The Book Café in Harare the forum is aimed at contributing to initiatives of advancing gender equality and promoting women’s rights in Zimbabwe.

The Gender Forum has successfully managed to attract attendance from a varied cross section of the Harare’s population.  This is a monthly discussion, targeting human rights activists, members of civic society, women artists and members of the general public.

The discussion is FREE and all are welcome.

A recent statement from Reporters Without Borders:

Bill would restrict public access to official information

Reporters Without Borders calls for the withdrawal of bill which is about to be submitted to parliament and which would allow the authorities to block public access to official documents including judicial decisions, new legislation and public records.

Announced on 22 October and called the “General Law Amendment Bill,” the proposed law’s sole aim seems to be to place additional obstacles in the way of access to information and thereby hamper the work of the media even more.

“Drafted by members of the coalition government’s Zanu-PF wing, led by President Robert Mugabe, this bill would just aggravate the already precarious situation for Zimbabwe’s media,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said. “It is a political manoeuvre designed to prevent any critical examination of the government’s actions.”

Julliard added: “The bill is extremely dangerous as it would allow the authorities to adopt unjust measures without anyone knowing and without anyone being able to protest. It shows that the government is rejecting transparency in favour of secrecy and abuse of authority.”

Under the proposed law, the publication of any government document would require prior permission from the authorities. A human rights group or a journalist, for example, would need the justice minister’s permission to publish a judicial decision affecting the public’s rights. This would restrict the ability of ordinary citizens to monitor what the authorities do and, as such, it is contrary to the principles of good governance.

The bill’s announcement has coincided with a number of developments in recent weeks that have raised concerns about a renewed crackdown on the media. The government announced at the start of this month that no licences would be issued to new radio or TV stations. Two journalists, Nkosana Dhalmini and Andrison Manyere, were arrested while covering a public debate at the end of last month and were held for two days.

And an arrest warrant was issued last week for The Zimbabwean editor Wilf Mbanga in connection with an article critical of President Mugabe that was published after the 2008 elections. Mbanga has lived in London for the past six years.

Zimbabwe already has two laws that throttle free expression. One is the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), adopted in 2002. The other is the Interception of Communications Act, adopted in August 2007. The coalition government made significant efforts to limit their negative effects earlier this year, for example, by issuing licences to several privately-owned dailies. This bill constitutes a major step backwards.