Swedish ambassador takes swipe at Zimbabwe’s media laws

By Lance Guma
31 March 2006

The Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe Sten Rylander has criticised the government for adopting a hostile approach to the media. Rylander made the comments during a presentation to the Media Studies programme at the National University of Science and technology in Bulawayo Friday.

He ridiculed attempts by Media and Information Commission (MIC) Chairman Tafataona Mahoso to compare Sweden’s press laws with those of Zimbabwe. In May 2002 Mahoso argued in a Sunday Mail article ‘The Swedes have more repressive media laws’ and that the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) was modelled on the same lines as Sweden. Rylander said, ‘the source of this lurid comparison remains unclear.’ The Freedom of the Press Act (1766) has a clear objective to promote freedom of expression diversity and independence of the media while in Zimbabwe the laws are used to close down papers.’

Rylander says there is no legitimate reason for the government to be denying the Daily News a licence when the courts have made it obvious the denial was without reason. He said the same courts had also pointed out that the MIC showed clear bias in dealing with the Daily News application. Rylander also criticised the Central Intelligence Organisation for moving in and taking control of certain papers saying this sort of activity would never happen in Sweden. He argued that instead of repressive laws and institutions the media should be allowed to regulate itself.