ZimRights lodged a complaint with the Media Complaints Committee over a story that appeared on NewZimbabwe.com on 22nd January 2015 titled “US govt probes Zim Civil Society”. ZimRights is aggrieved and states that the article contains falsehoods as it insinuates that ZimRights embezzled and/or defrauded the US Government of its funds. ZimRights argues that the story contains false, unsubstantiated, malicious and defamatory statements meant to cause alarm and despondency.
ZimRights insists it is not involved in the stated unfounded allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds and neither is it being investigated by the US Government as alleged. ZimRights says the story is not only misleading and deliberately misinforming the public but also meant to damage the Organization’s standing in both the donor community and in society.
STATUS: Pending
NewZimbabwe.com in its response has defended its story, insisting that the fact that ZimRights is not aware of any probe does not mean that the organisation is not being investigated.
After considering submissions from both parties the MCC concludes that there is a stalemate and hence the need for the matter to be resolved through formal adjudication. NewZimbabwe.com is yet to respond to the MCC’s request for New Zimbabwe to send a local representative who can represent the organisation at the hearing.
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