MEDIA REPORT SUPREME COURT ORDERS DAILY NEWS TO

UNCLAS HARARE 001845 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR GURNEY PARIS FOR NEARY NAIROBI FOR PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORT SUPREME COURT ORDERS DAILY NEWS TO REGISTER; HARARE Zimbawe's Supreme Court has ruled that the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ),publishers of the independent "The Daily News" and its sister weekly "The Daily News on Sunday," must register with the Media and Information Commission (MIC). Under the controversial Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), promulgated by government last year, all media organizations operating in Zimbabwe are required to register with the Commission headed by Dr. Tafataona Mahoso. In his judgment, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said the newspaper group is operating outside the law and must comply with the AIPPA before challenging it constitutionality. The ANZ was challenging requirement of media houses to register with a government appointed MIC as prescribed under Section 66 of AIPPA. In a 14-page judgment, the Supreme Court ruled, "citizens are obliged to obey the law and argue afterwards." ANZ's legal consel stated that the media house intended to comply with AIPPA as required by the Supreme Court ruling and then to renew their court challenge to its constitutionality. SULLIVAN