Local journalists challenge AIPPA

Local journalists filed an application with the Supreme Court challenging the legality of some sections of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The application was filed by Abel Mutsakani of the Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe and Vincent Kahiya of the Independent.

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was cited as the first respondent.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 02HARARE1786, MEDIA REPORT: SCRIBES TO CHALLENGE AIPPA; HARARE

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UNCLAS HARARE 001786

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO ZI

SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT: SCRIBES TO CHALLENGE AIPPA; HARARE

Independent journalists in Zimbabwe have filed an

application with the Supreme Court challenging the legality

of some sections of the recently enacted Access to

Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The

Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (IJAZ) –

represented by Abel Mutsikani (president of IJAZ) and

Vincent Kahiya (news editor of the weekly “Zimbabwe

Independent”) – filed the application early this week

seeking the court to declare Sections 79, 80, 83 and 85 of

AIPPA as “unconstitutional.” Information Minister Jonathan

Moyo is cited as the first respondent. The Media and

Information Commission, headed by Dr. Tafataona Mahoso, and

the Attorney General, Andrew Chigovera, are cited as the

second and third respondents respectively. Already 13

journalists have been charged under the Act. AIPPA is also

facing legal challenges from the Foreign Correspondents

Association, who filed an affidavit last month asking the

Supreme Court to declare the laws on the registration of

media groups and licensing of journalists unconstitutional.

SULLIVAN

(33 VIEWS)