Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


HRW: Zimbabwe Has Failed to Reform Media

   VOA News 20 April 2010

   Human Rights Watch says Zimbabwe's power-sharing government has failed
   to carry out key media reforms as promised.
   In  a 26-page report released Tuesday, the group said President Robert
   Mugabe  and  his ZANU-PF party still hold most of the power in a unity
   government  formed  with  Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC
   party.   The report accused Mr. Mugabe's party of promoting political
   propaganda   and   using   repressive  laws  to  restrict  independent
   reporting.
   The  group's  Africa  director,  Georgette Gagnon, said in a statement
   that  Zimbabwe's  unity  government  promised reforms under the Global
   Political Agreement signed in 2008.  She said the government promised
   the  changes  to  ensure  transparency  and  free,  fair  and credible
   elections.   Gagnon  called  the government's claims to reform "empty
   promises".
   The  report  said the government has made no media reforms and has not
   granted  an  operating  license  to a single independent television or
   radio station in the last year.
   Human Rights Watch also says Zimbabwe's state-controlled media publish
   only messages approved by President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.

.