Journalists opposed to foreign control of local media

Zimbabwe journalists are opposed to foreign control of the local media, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) said in an update on Monday. The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) has accused former colonial power Britain of trying to strengthen its political influence by investing in the ‘Daily News’, Zimbabwe’s only independent daily newspaper, MISA said. British government officials last week sought permission from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London to ship a new printing press for the ‘Daily News’, to replace one that was bombed early this year.

“While we sympathise with the ‘Daily News’, we urge the company to act in a way that has long term benefits to the citizens of this country,” ZUJ president Mathew Takaona was quoted as saying. “Our position is that locals should have the majority shareholding in the media,” he said, adding “this scenario is not unique to Zimbabwe, but is found in many countries throughout the world.” MISA added that the National Association of Freelance Journalists, has also accused Britain of trying to advance its “neo-colonial interests” in Zimbabwe by investing in local media.