• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

DATE=10/05/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ZIMBABWE / RADIO (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-267500

BYLINE=MARTIN RUSHMERE

DATELINE=HARARE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Zimbabwe government says a private radio station has been shut down because it threatened national security. Martin Rushmere reports that an F-M station covering Harare, Capital Radio, was shut Thursday, one week after it began broadcasting.

TEXT: Zimbabwe's Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told a news conference that there would be what he called "threats to national security" if the government allowed unauthorized broadcasting.

Both the information minister and Minister of Police John Nkomo accused the British government of using the station as a form of sabotage against Zimbabwe. A spokeswoman for Capital Radio strongly denied any British involvement and called the allegation "laughable," saying the station had broadcast only music.

Mr. Moyo said the owners of the station will be prosecuted because they have broken emergency regulations setting up strict conditions for a broadcasting license. The regulations were published on the day that heavily armed police raided the broadcasting studio and homes of the owners.

Mr. Moyo said the owners cannot claim they were unaware of the regulations. "Ignorance of the law is no excuse," he said.

Equipment seized in the raids was displayed at the press conference. Mr. Moyo denied that the government had ignored a court order prohibiting the police from taking any equipment.

Capital Radio won a second court ruling that orders the police to return the tape recorders, transmitter, and other equipment. However, the ruling said Capitol Radio could not resume broadcasting until the court decides the validity of the regulations.

Zimbabwe Police Minister Nkomo said that while no arrests have been made, investigations are continuing. He said police are also looking for a second F-M station that has been set up in Harare.

The new regulations prohibit any foreign involvement in radio and television, but do not apply to the existing state-owned broadcaster. Three-quarters of all programs must have Zimbabwean content or be produced in Zimbabwe, and at least one-half of the music produced must be Zimbabwean. The minister of information is responsible for issuing licenses.

Unlicensed broadcasters in Zimbabwe face jail sentences of up to two years. Capital Radio began broadcasting three days after winning a court ruling, which declared that the monopoly of the state network violates the constitution. (Signed)

NEB/MR/GE/JWH