From the SW Radio Africa Web site:
By Violet Gonda
20 February 2013
Police have announced a ban on ‘specially designed radios’ that are
‘not compatible with state owned stations’, claiming the devices would
be used to communicate hate speech ahead of polls scheduled for this
year.
In a move seen as an attempt to silence external radio stations, such
as SW Radio Africa and VOA’s Studio 7, broadcasting to Zimbabwe via
shortwave and medium wave, police spokesperson Charity Charamba
threatened to deal with organizations that helped to distribute portable
radios, saying recipients would also be arrested.
She told journalists at a press conference in Harare on Tuesday: “We
have information that some people or political parties are engaging in
illegal activities, that is to say they are distributing illegal
communicating devices to unsuspecting members of the public.
“We strongly believe that the intentions of such people are not holy
but meant to create and sow seeds of disharmony within the country,
especially now that the country is about to embark on the referendum and
harmonised elections.”
The shocking news comes as police upped their onslaught on civil
society organization looking for subversive material, gadgets and
recordings.
The state controlled Herald newspaper confirmed that hundreds of
shortwave radios have so far been confiscated, especially in the rural
areas.
Nelson Chamisa, the MDC Communications minister, told SW Radio Africa
that it was an ‘empty ban’ saying: “It’s laughable, ridiculous and
misconceived. There is no way you can put effective ban on the hearing
of people. You cannot put an effective ban on the ability of people to
talk.”
He said it is bizarre that it is being said by an institution that is
supposed to observe the rule of law in the country. The minister said
there is no government policy or any law that can be used by the police
to enforce such a ban.
The minister said such a pronouncement is very worrying as the country moves forward with the hope of free and fair elections.
“It’s a poisonous development that would make the plebiscite environment very un-conducive.” Chamisa added.
ZANU PF’s Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu was unavailable for comment.
The ban on radios has been slammed by various nongovernmental
organizations. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe)
said there is no clarity on what exactly these ‘communications devices’
that were confiscated were, as well as the lack of clarity on what basis
the radio sets or their distribution is also deemed illegal.
“A reading of Section 38B of the Broadcasting Services Act states
that one is not prohibited from possession of a receiver as long as it
is in accordance with the terms and conditions of a listener’s licence
as issued by the ZBC.
“The importance of a radio set cannot be over-emphasised as it is a
generally affordable gadget used for receiving information by the
public. The right to receive and impart information and ideas is
enshrined in Section 20 of the current constitution as a vital component
of citizens’ right to freedom of expression,” read a statement by the
media watchdog.
The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS), an
umbrella body of community radio initiatives in Zimbabwe, said: “The
banning of radio sets to marginalised communities is not only
undemocratic, but is a clear indication that the inclusive government
has no intention to promote media freedom and access to information in
this country. The main question we must ask is why our citizens are
resorting to alternative means to access information and exercise their
right to free expression?”
“The banning of solar powered radios and subsequent distribution to
not only marginalised rural communities but also areas not receiving ZBC
transmission, is a clear attitude of a government which does not
embrace principles of democracy- participation, openness, transparency,
accountability and development,” ZACRAS chairperson Gift Mambipiri said.
Co-Home Affairs Minister Teresa Makoni revealed, through her Facebook
page, that all radios that are receivers only, without ability to
transmit, are perfectly legal and that there is no law at present which
disallows anyone donating radios to the public.
However the minister said she held lengthy discussions with Police
Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri, who said he is concerned that
NGOs always intensify distribution just before elections.
Makone said: “I was very clear that airwaves are still restricted to
other parties, that is why my party is distributing radios to our poor
rural members…in the meantime he will have his engineers verify that the
radios are simple receivers.”
Observers say this response ignores the fact that there is likely to
be massive intimidation as the average police officer will not know the
difference between a receiver and two-way radio communicators.
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To contact this reporter email violet@swradioafrica.com or follow on Twitter
