Daily News journalists cleared

By Lance Guma
26 October 2005

State prosecutors withdrew charges against 44 journalists from the banned Daily News who were facing allegations of working without accreditation. Legal experts say the acquittal of Kelvin Jakachira on similar charges had set a precedent on the case, making it a formality for the others.

The trial initially scheduled for the 12th of October was postponed under unclear circumstances some have suggested prosecutors knew they were chasing a lost cause. The delay had more to do with trying to find a dignified exit than any setting up of a new trial date. It was left to the publisher of the newspaper to announce the withdrawal of the charges against their workers.

Under harsh media laws crafted by former Information Minister and Tsholotsho MP, Jonathan Moyo, journalists are supposed to register with the Media and Information Commission before they can work. The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) has been used several times to suppress the activities of private media outlets in the country.

Pedzisai Ruhanya formerly the papers’ Deputy news editor, who was also facing the same charges, says the ruling did not come as a surprise. He left the country even before the trial had been concluded knowing fully well the acquittal of Jakachira in the test case was a victory for all. The Daily News went through two bombings and the harassment of their journalists before the state closed them down with the collusion of the country’s judiciary.

A total of four newspapers have been closed down with government seeking to strangle the operations of the private media.