Changes to media bill "cosmetic" - journalists

Amendments to Zimbabwe's controversial new media bill are only "cosmetic" changes, independent media groups and journalists told IRIN on Wednesday.

"The so-called amendments are cosmetic changes. The bill is still draconian and is still an attempt to restrict the media," Abel Mutsakani, head of the Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe said.

Takura Zhngzha, an advocacy officer with the Zimbabwe chapter of the Media Institute of South Africa (MISA), told IRIN that the proposed changes seemed only to relate to the accreditation of foreign journalists.

"From what we understand it seems that foreign journalists who are permanent residents will be able to register. Also foreign journalists will be able to register but to cover a specific event only," Zhngzha said. The original bill barred foreigners from working as correspondents in Zimbabwe.

"We still condemn the bill in the highest form. As we see no significant changes have been made and we think that it is still as bad it was," Zhngzha added.

The unexpected amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill came after a caucus meeting of members of parliament from the ruling ZANU-PF party and a separate meeting of the politburo earlier on Tuesday.

Parliament had been expected to debate the bill on Tuesday afternoon, but ZANU-PF MPs adjourned the session as soon as the house opened. There were unconfirmed reports of divisions within the ruling party over some of the bill's provisions.

The state-owned Herald newspaper reported on Wednesday: "Parliament is today expected to pass ... the much talked about Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill."

Despite the proposed amendments, all journalists and owners of media organisations would still be required to register with a government-appointed body or risk two years in prison.