MEDIA REPORT: SCRIBES TO CHALLENGE AIPPA; HARARE

UNCLAS HARARE 001786 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAO ZI SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT: SCRIBES TO CHALLENGE AIPPA; HARARE Independent journalists in Zimbabwe have filed an application with the Supreme Court challenging the legality of some sections of the recently enacted Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (IJAZ) - represented by Abel Mutsikani (president of IJAZ) and Vincent Kahiya (news editor of the weekly "Zimbabwe Independent") - filed the application early this week seeking the court to declare Sections 79, 80, 83 and 85 of AIPPA as "unconstitutional." Information Minister Jonathan Moyo is cited as the first respondent. The Media and Information Commission, headed by Dr. Tafataona Mahoso, and the Attorney General, Andrew Chigovera, are cited as the second and third respondents respectively. Already 13 journalists have been charged under the Act. AIPPA is also facing legal challenges from the Foreign Correspondents Association, who filed an affidavit last month asking the Supreme Court to declare the laws on the registration of media groups and licensing of journalists unconstitutional. SULLIVAN