Mr. Musarara filed a complaint with the Media Complaints Committee over an article published by the Zimbabwe Independent of November 29, 2013 titled “Musarara fails to pay travel agents US$1 861.00”.
Mr. Musarara says the story is false and malicious and that the report was not balanced as he was not given right of reply in the story.
Mr. Musarara also says he complained to the Zimbabwe Independent after the publication of the story but the two follow-up stories in the paper did not retract the issues raised or carry his lawyer’s comments.
Mr. Musarara wants the initial story removed from the website, and an apology for the damage to his character and reputation.
STATUS: FINALISED
The Zimbabwe Independent, VMCZ and Mr. Musarara met to amicably resolve the issue and the Zimbabwe Independent agreed to write a follow-up story highlighting that Mr. Musarara won the appeal and giving him right of reply.
The Media Complaints Committee also ruled that Mr. Musarara should avail the Zimbabwe Independent with a write up from his lawyer capturing his side of the story and the Zimbabwe Independent was to publish the lawyer’s statement.
The Zimbabwe Independent in its next two editions carried follow-up stories on the matter but did not publish comments by Mr. Musarara’s lawyer and an apology.
Media Complaints Committee Chairperson Justice Smith wrote to the Zimbabwe Independent urging them to comply with the judgment but the Zimbabwe Independent has also raised an ethical issue over the apology.
The case was reviewed by a reconstituted review panel which acknowledged previous attempts by the Zimbabwe Independent to adrdress the matter but also noted the need for the newspaper to issue an apology in line with the ruling of the Media Complaints Committee.
The Zimbabwe Independent subsequently issued an apology and retraction in its 18th July 2014 edition.
The complainant accepted the apology and retraction.
Compliance: The Independent subsequently issued an apology and retraction in its 18th July 2014 edition. The complainant accepted the apology and retraction.
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