Cablegate: Media Report: Scribes to Challenge Aippa; Harare

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HARARE 001786

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO ZI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT: SCRIBES TO CHALLENGE AIPPA; HARARE

Independent journalists in Zimbabwe have filed an
application with the Supreme Court challenging the legality
of some sections of the recently enacted Access to
Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The
Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (IJAZ) -
represented by Abel Mutsikani (president of IJAZ) and
Vincent Kahiya (news editor of the weekly "Zimbabwe
Independent") - filed the application early this week
seeking the court to declare Sections 79, 80, 83 and 85 of
AIPPA as "unconstitutional." Information Minister Jonathan
Moyo is cited as the first respondent. The Media and
Information Commission, headed by Dr. Tafataona Mahoso, and
the Attorney General, Andrew Chigovera, are cited as the
second and third respondents respectively. Already 13
journalists have been charged under the Act. AIPPA is also
facing legal challenges from the Foreign Correspondents
Association, who filed an affidavit last month asking the
Supreme Court to declare the laws on the registration of
media groups and licensing of journalists unconstitutional.

SULLIVAN

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