VMCZ CONDEMNS ECONET WIRELESS RAID OF THE SOURCE…

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe is outraged by Econet Wireless’s raid on The Source. The raid in our view violates not only citizens’ rights to access information but also infringes on media freedom as enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe.
Econet Wireless alleges that documents were stolen from their offices, if that is the case, a report of theft should have been made to the police for investigations to be instituted on the matter, as per the norm and bring the thieves to book.
The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe condemns Econet Wireless actions and the decision by the courts to grant Econet Wireless the permission to raid and confiscate the news agency’s computers and equipment.
The courts’ decision to grant Econet Wireless freedom to raid The Source sets a precedent where we are likely to see powerful companies and individuals attacking and trampling on the media and the general citizen’s freedoms and rights to disseminate and access information.
Sections 61 and 62 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe are clear on media freedoms and the right to information. We therefore call on authorities to respect these rights and allow The Source’s application to the Constitutional Court to go through so that a ruling can be made on such matters pertaining to journalists right to access information.
VMCZ also applauds the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Professor Jonathan Moyo’s condemnation of the raid on The Source by Econet Wireless and for speaking in defense of media freedom and journalists’ right to access information.