Honourable Tendai Biti registered a complaint with the VMCZ over a news story published by the DailyNews on the 7th of April 2014 headed “Tsvangirai Plot; Dossier claims Mangoma, Biti working with ZANU PF; Western donors fingered in conspiracy”.
Hon Biti is aggrieved and says the article made serious allegations against his person and claims the allegations are defamatory.
Hon Biti also indicated in his complaint that there have been engagements between himself and the DailyNews to resolve the issue. Hon Biti wants the Daily News to retract the story.
STATUS: Pending
Honourable Tendai Biti and DailyNews Editor Stanley Gama made their submissions to the Media Complaints Committee (MCC).
The MCC, after carefully considering submissions from both parties noted that:
1) there is no evidence that Hon Tendai Biti was given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations leveled against him;
2) the dossier provided by the DailyNews cannot be authenticated as an ‘MDC dossier’;
3) there is no evidence to validate the allegations leveled against the complainant in the news story.
The MCC ruled that the DailyNews must publish an apology and a retraction within seven days; or file an appeal within 14 days in the case the newspaper felt the need to appeal the judgment.
The DailyNews appealed the decision of the Media Complaints Committee and Hon. Tendai Biti has since filed his response to the appellant. The appeal committee will convene shortly to consider the case.
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