Moyo: 'Government has no business in newspapers'

Posted by: webmaster

ZIMBABWE'S former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo has called on the government to cede its interests in newspapers and television.

Confirming that he had come full circle to his former self as an arch critic of President Robert Mugabe, Moyo blasted: "Things have changed and government ownership of newspapers has become an anathema to democracy. The whole thing is just not on. Zanu PF must move on with the times."


Zimbabwe's government dictates the editorial line at several regional newspapers across the country and the flagship Herald newspaper. The regime also has total control of national television.

Moyo expelled himself from the ruling Zanu PF after defying Mugabe's pleas not to stand as an independent in Tsholotsho constituency in the March 31 parliamentary polls. Moyo beat both his MDC and Zanu PF challengers, becoming the only independent candidate in Parliament.

Moyo said Mugabe’s decision to resurrect the old Ministry of Information was emblematic of the country’s rapid regression in various areas.

Reacting to the resuscitation of the ministry which was abolished in 2000 when he came in as minister in Mugabe’s office, Moyo said this was not “reorganisation” as officials claimed but “disorganisation”.

“I’m not aware of any reorganisation of the Information portfolio but of course I’m aware of the disorganisation that is going on,” Moyo said.

“I was surprised to hear the Information department has been ‘upgraded’ to a ministry because to me that is a backward movement, not elevation.”

Moyo’s attack against Zanu PF’s “retreat into backward arrangements” came as new Information minister Tichaona Jokonya prepared to meet editors of all media houses today in a bid to build bridges after deep polarisation during Moyo’s turbulent era.

Moyo said while he respected Jokonya and his deputy Bright Matonga, he was afraid they had been thrown into a difficult situation in which there was “an old-fashioned Information ministry located in a modern information-based society”.

“I have the highest regard for Dr Jokonya and Matonga but I don’t think they realise the trouble in which they have been put by being deployed in a resurrected outdated ministry in this day and age,” he said.

“It becomes worse when you have some funny ministry called Public and Interactive Affairs because I can’t imagine anything which is public and interactive but not information-based.”

Having an Information ministry, Moyo said, in an environment where government’s media monopoly no longer exists, was “simply irrelevant”.

“A Ministry of Information was justified in an environment in which there was a government media monopoly but now the broadcasting monopoly has been lifted. Instead of being controlled by a ministry, broadcasting is now being run by a legally constituted regulatory authority,” he said.

During his reign, Moyo maintained a tight grip on the electronic media and on the public print media.

Moyo said the revival of the Information ministry showed government was determined to take the country to a bygone era and not forward.

“I see a lot of backward movement in everything which Zanu PF is doing now. They have gone back to the archaic Ministry of Information and they want to go back to the senate. It seems it’s now all about going back and not forward,” he said.

It was disappointing, Moyo said, to realise Mugabe and his party was preoccupied with “trivial pursuits” while the economy continues on its decline.

“We have an economically clueless government busy trying to entrench itself in power through mindless constitutional amendments while the economy is collapsing,” Moyo said.

“Obviously, Zanu PF can see what we all can see: Mugabe is no longer able to win a free and fair election.”


Other Articles..

AddThis Social Bookmark Button [Mail to a friend]

« Prev item - Next Item »
---------------------------------------------

Comments


men air max shoes - 06 Aug, 2010 - 02:09:00

Tucked away in our nike air max 2010 mens running shoes subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long nike air max 2010 trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out air max 2009 windows, we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at nike red air max 2009 crossing, of cattle grazing on air max 95 black distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon nike air 95 row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling air max 90 hillsides, of city skylines and village halls. But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain blue air max 90 for women day at a certain hour, we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags nike air max 180 waving. Once we get there, so many wonderful dreams will come true and the pieces of our black nike air max shoes lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, bing the minutes for nike air max light shoes loitering --waiting, waiting, waiting for womens nike air max station.Sooner or later, we must realize there is no station, no one air max ltd classic place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of air max shoes store life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. In stead, climb more nike air max white mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more women air max shoes sunsets, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come men air max shoes soon enough. http://www.sellnikeairmax.com/ LIJ

Christian Louboutin shoes - 24 Aug, 2010 - 22:46:10

christian louboutin wedding shoesRed shoes which is another advantage is that the female stars free advertising. See the red soles that is Christian Louboutin Libelle Sandals, no need to find logo. Some people say that christian louboutin shoes will never be a popular retreat.Even if you do not agree with Tony Sao pairs of Christian Louboutin high heels worship, but it still is a woman shoe cupboard essential. Models christian louboutin shoes in fashion this year, focusing on heel, the shape is a square or trapezoidal, and walking more trustworthy.Christian Louboutin Peep Toe Suede Brown high heels, red sole trademark at the beginning of a bit vague, but seemed to be his in the design of a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes discount, when he saw his assistant to his nails painted red, he will be inspired by the inspiration for his Tu red soles. He was immediately seized beautiful soles, directly on the chart in the sample soles. Due to good results, he initially wanted all his shoe soles are painted a different color, but have seen a lot of red sole shoes, he dispelled the idea and let the red soles became his signature.louboutin shoes for lady sale high-heeled slender to create beautiful curves Whether positive or have demonstrated pretty side lines. Comfort pad inside texture of leather production.High-heeled shoes for women. http://www.louboutinshoes4l...

bootsmarket - 05 Sep, 2010 - 03:03:22

[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg ブーツ[/url]総務省[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]UGG スノーブーツ[/url]が２７日発表[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg ニットブーツ[/url]した７月の[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg ニット[/url]完全失業率[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]ugg 靴[/url]（季節調整値）[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg 専門販売[/url]は、前月より０?１[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg 激安通販[/url]ポイント低下の[url=htp://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg 日本公式通販サイト[/url]５?２％と、[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]ugg 専門店[/url]６カ月ぶりに
[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]レディース靴[/url]改善した。[url=http://www.bootsmarket.net]レディースブーツ[/url]一方、[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]女性靴[/url]厚生労働省[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]女性ブーツ[/url]が発表し[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]女性用靴[/url]た求職者１人[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]女性用ブーツ[/url]に対する求人[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]レディースシューズ[/url]数を示す[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]女性シューズ[/url]７月の有効求人[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]女性用シューズ[/url]倍率（同）は０?５３倍[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]メンズブーツ[/url]で、前月より０?０１[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]メンズ靴[/url]ポイント上[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]男性靴[/url]昇し、３カ月[url=http://www.bootsmaket.net]男性ブーツ[/url]連続で改善

Leave comment

:

:
: