Zim govt pushes for media laws to muzzle opposition

The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill are due to be passed on Tuesday to suppress dissent and muzzle the press ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. The new laws would ban foreign correspondents from working in Zimbabwe and force Zimbabwean reporters to seek licenses from a government commission. Any "unethical journalism" or verbal or written criticism of Mugabe that could "engender hostility" towards him would result in hefty fines and jail terms.

The International Federation of Journalists has called on the European Union to take the lead in isolating the Zimbabwean government because of its efforts to restrict media freedom. The government controls television and most radio stations. There is only one independent newspaper.

On thursday another bill was passed, the Public Order and Security Bill, which means that life imprisonment or the death penalty can be imposed on Zimbabweans accused of assisting in terrorism, subversion, espionage, banditry, sabotage or treason against Mugabe's government.