Cablegate: Media Report Supreme Court Orders Daily News To

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

150520Z Sep 03

UNCLAS HARARE 001845

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS
NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER
LONDON FOR GURNEY
PARIS FOR NEARY
NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT SUPREME COURT ORDERS DAILY NEWS TO
REGISTER; HARARE

Zimbawe's Supreme Court has ruled that the Associated
Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ), publishers of the independent
"The Daily News" and its sister weekly "The Daily News on
Sunday," must register with the Media and Information
Commission (MIC). Under the controversial Access to
Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA),
promulgated by government last year, all media
organizations operating in Zimbabwe are required to
register with the Commission headed by Dr. Tafataona
Mahoso. In his judgment, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku
said the newspaper group is operating outside the law and
must comply with the AIPPA before challenging it
constitutionality. The ANZ was challenging requirement of
media houses to register with a government appointed MIC as
prescribed under Section 66 of AIPPA. In a 14-page
judgment, the Supreme Court ruled, "citizens are obliged to
obey the law and argue afterwards." ANZ's legal consel
stated that the media house intended to comply with AIPPA
as required by the Supreme Court ruling and then to renew
their court challenge to its constitutionality.
SULLIVAN

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