RSS 2.0 FeedNov 2009 Vol 14, Africa
Reporters 'living in fear of their lives'
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists leader Foster Dongozi told conference that reporters in the southern African nation were "living in fear of real violence" from a government that "regularly uses terms such as 'enemies of the state' and 'running dogs of imperialism' to describe the media.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists leader Foster Dongozi told conference that reporters in the southern African nation were "living in fear of real violence" from a government that "regularly uses terms such as 'enemies of the state' and 'running dogs of imperialism' to describe the media.
"When people are afraid of their government, that's a dictatorship but, when the government is afraid of its people, that's democracy.
"A strong media can make this happen," he declared.
Mr Dongozi related that government attacks included the closure of radio and television stations, and the shutting down of Zimbabwe's mass circulation Daily News, but he emphasised that "many of the problems we face are not simply legislative ones.
"A lack of computers and poor internet access are very prohibitive in telling Zimbabwe's story," he explained.
He added that it was support from NUJ members that had allowed Zimbabwe's Union of Journalists members to at least "earn a living wage."
