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Zim threatens Western journos
23/03/2007 13:46 - (SA)
Harare - The government of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on Friday issued a chilling threat against Western journalists working in the southern African country as political tensions mount.
In a statement quoted by the official Herald newspaper, the information ministry warned journalists, including the correspondents of two British newspapers - Jan Raath of the Times and Peta Thornycroft of the Daily Telegraph - that the government might be forced to act against them.
The statement also accused broadcaster CNN of supporting a US government policy of regime change in the country.
The statement said: "CNN's editorial hostility echoes the American administration's policy of regime change through illegal and pernicious sanctions designed to hurt Zimbabwe's economy and build disaffection in the populace.
"Sadly, CNN has embedded itself within such a treacherous imperialist policy which has already repeatedly failed and will never succeed in Zimbabwe."
Zimbabwe's government is hostile to many Western media outlets, and has registered very few to operate inside the country.
'Smuggling reporters into the country'
All journalists working have to be licensed with the state-appointed Media and Information Commission (MIC).
On Friday the MIC claimed Western embassies were smuggling reporters into the country.
It also warned Zimbabweans offering accommodation to unlicensed foreign correspondents that they too would face prosecution.
"It is, therefore, important for all Zimbabweans hosting or accommodating any foreigners to tell them that if they are journalists, they ought to report to the MIC immediately and apply for accreditation," it said.
Sapa-dpa
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