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afrol News, 21 June - The department of Information and Publicity turned down an application by three British Broadcasting Corporation, (BBC), reporters to be accredited to cover the solar eclipse citing failure to comply with the new accreditation regulations, which require journalists to give a month's notice in order for the department to process them. The three journalists Simon Finch, John Sweeney and James Miller applied to the Department on 14 June 2001, just a day after the regulations had come into effect. Department of Information and Publicity advised the head of the World Current Affairs Department at the BBC, Jo Dutton, that the request had been unsuccessful. "Your request for full accreditation of the following persons, Simon Finch, John Sweeney and James Miller can only be processed by adhering to the recently announced guidelines," read the letter from the department of Information and Publicity. "Accordingly all foreign media personnel who intend to visit Zimbabwe on media duties are expected to apply for accreditation form their countries at least a month before the proposed visit," read the letter. Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo said that it was ironic that the media that preached so much about the rule of law had openly violated Zimbabwe's laws. According to a report in The Herald of June 20, 2001, the trio had claimed that they would be accredited with the Department of Information and Publicity on Monday June 18 and were allowed into the country by immigration officials at the weekend. They were yesterday, June 19, asked to leave the country as they had failed to be accredited. Another BBC crew, which wanted to produce a documentary called 'Zimbabwe Behind the Lines', has since been denied accreditation. The regulations have also been used to refuse the, British, Daily Telegraph correspondent David Blair an extension of his temporary work permit, which is set to expire on July 16. Blair has been in Zimbabwe sine May 1999. Professor Jonathan Moyo defended the decision saying that this is the norm worldwide. However, the regulations have been largely viewed as a way by the government to control access to information by foreign journalists who have been subject to repeated attacks for showing Zimbabwe as a rogue state. The Zimbabwe government on 14 June imposed entry conditions on foreign journalist, requiring them to apply or official press accreditation at least a month before an intended visit. The statement, issued by the Zimbabwe Department of Information and Publicity (Office of the President and Cabinet) on Thursday, 14 June 2001, reads as follows:
In keeping with international practice, the Department of Information and Publicity in the Office of the President and Cabinet, reminds foreign media personnel who intend to visit Zimbabwe on media assignments that they are expected, and indeed required to apply for accreditation from their countries of permanent station. Accordingly and with immediate effect, applications for accreditation, which must be supported by the employing media institution, must be lodged with the Department either directly or through the nearest Zimbabwean Mission, at least a month before the proposed visit. Travel arrangements should only start after a clear indication from the Department on accreditation status of applicants. The department will henceforth not entertain applications by individuals who are already in the country. Equally, it will not support such crews for immigration purposes.
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