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Police under fire over radios

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POLICE have been accused of stifling freedom of information after their Tuesday announcement that they had banned possession of “specially designed radios”

POLICE have been accused of stifling freedom of information after their Tuesday announcement that they had banned possession of “specially designed radios”.

Staff Reporter

Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, the police spokesperson, claimed the devices were being used to communicate hate speech ahead of the referendum next month and general elections expected in July.

She accused some political parties of distributing the radios to unsuspecting members of the public with the “intention to sow seeds of disharmony within the country especially now that the country is about to embark on the referendum and harmonised elections”.

But Misa-Zimbabwe, a free media advocacy group, said although police were not clear on what gadgets they regarded as illegal, it suspected it could be portable radios distributed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance access to information in remote areas.

“Of particular concern to Misa-Zimbabwe is the lack of clarity on what exactly these ‘communication devices’ that were confisticated were, as well as the lack of clarity on what basis the radio set or their distribution is also deemed illegal,” the organisation said in a statement.

“It is not clear as yet on what basis possession of devices such as radios meant for receiving broadcasting services can be 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.” The announcement followed a police onslaught against NGOs involved in voter education.

During the raids in Harare and Bulawayo, various information gadgets were seized.

Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (Zacras) said the clampdown was evidence that the inclusive government was not committed to media reforms.

“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,” Zacras said in a statement.

“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.”

The association said the recent arrest of civil society leadership, journalists and police raids on NGOs “smacks of a government bent on silencing citizens’ voice”.