LOCAL journalists yesterday petitioned Econet Wireless and Steward Bank protesting the institutions’ recent raid on business news agency, The Source, in pursuit of “stolen confidential documents”.
BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
The 130-signature petition was presented to Econet Wireless and Steward Bank in Harare by Media Institute of Southern Africa-Zimbabwe board member Columbus Mavhunga and Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president Michael Chideme.
Econet Wireless and Steward Bank, through their lawyers, the Sheriff and police, searched and seized documents from The Source in execution of a High Court order granted by Justice Joseph Musakwa.
This followed allegations by Steward Bank and Econet Wireless that the publication of two stories titled: Steward Bank seeks land to settle $2,1 million Chiyangwa loan and Debt-distressed Zimbabwe moves to reschedule domestic debt, were premised on illegally obtained documents.
In the petition, the journalists said the raid was unconstitutional and an arrogant violation of Section 61 of the Constitution which protects freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
“We hereby bring it to your attention that your actions are unacceptable and an arrogant violation of Section 61 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which protects freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
“Thus guided and protected by our constitutionally guaranteed professional rights, we therefore strongly condemn your unconstitutional actions as reprehensible and repugnant in a democratic society,” part of the petition reads.
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The journalists advised Steward Bank and Econet Wireless that in the case of perceived wrongs or breach of journalistic ethics by the media, this could be resolved “civilly” by approaching the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe for redress.
