via MDC-T denies free speech crackdown – New Zimbabwe 08/02/2015
MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora has defended his boss, Morgan Tsvangirai’s decision to “ban” the use of social media by party activists claiming the platform was being used to divide the opposition movement.
The ban has seen the party, which has long touted itself as a champion of freedom of expression, come under attack with pro-democracy activists accusing Tsvangirai of hypocrisy.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com Sunday, Mwonzora denied accusations that his party had become a threat to free expression.
“We are not banning anyone,” he said.
“The MDC is a society that is governed by rules and we are saying to our members those who want to continue churning out official information must register their platforms with the party spokesperson (Obert Gutu) so that whatever it is that they want to circulate is vetted.”
In a statement issued Friday, Tsvangirai demanded that all “WhatsApp” groups administered by his party activists should be closed.
“The proliferation of this abuse (social media) has reached alarming proportions and cannot be ignored any longer. I therefore issue the order that any WhatsApp group administered by anyone who is an MDC member without exception, be shut down,” read the statement, which bears Tsvangirai’s signature.
“Any party structure which needs to run a social media group should access forms from the Office of the President. Those who have been found on the wrong side must consider this as an official first warning.”
Mwonzora confirmed the letter was indeed authentic.
“It is true that letter was written, it is meant to rein in on groups who are talking about party issues in an unregulated manner some bordering on untruths and slander surely that cannot be protected by the constitution,” he said.
“In some instances these groups have published confidential party information and official correspondence but we also realised that they have been infiltrated by our opponents to destabilise the MDC.
“The rules we have issued are meant to be for our members who are duty bound to abide by them.”
Since its formation, the MDC-T has fought for the liberalization of the airwaves and the repealing of legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which are viewed as twin threats to free expression and the development of the mass media in the country.
The two laws along with a plethora of others have been fingered as the biggest arsenal government has used to constrict freedom of the media in Zimbabwe.
Tsvangirai has of late had a love-hate relationship with the media given his off-field shenanigans particularly with women that have given journalists and the social media cannon fodder to create memes of him and other characterizations.
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