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Zim: TV crew entered illegally
30/04/2004 12:14 - (SA)
Harare - President Robert Mugabe's government on Friday said a British television crew ignored media law requirements and illegally entered Zimbabwe this week to cover cricket matches.
A statement quoted by state media on Friday said a Sky television news crew had flown into Zimbabwe without following accreditation procedures.
Under Zimbabwe's tough media laws foreign journalists have to apply for accreditation through the Zimbabwean embassy in their country of origin or one nearest to them.
"The Sky television crew did not seek accreditation in their country, in clear breach, violation and blatant if not arrogant contempt of our law," said Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
"Accordingly, its entry and duration in the country is patently outside the law and thus illegal.
"What makes the conduct of this crew appear deliberately contemptuous and thus reprehensible is the fact that before leaving Britain the crew received a clear response from the department (of information), outlining government position and expectation before its proposed visit," said Moyo in the statement.
Moyo said the Sky crew did not bother to respond to its instructions and "instead chose to fly in regardless.
"Such open contempt and arrogant defiance cannot be tolerated," he added.
The crew has reportedly been deported, but government officials were not immediately available to confirm.
But Moyo said "failure to comply, quite naturally, would trigger a decisive response from agencies whose duty is to uphold the rule of law in the country."
Last week authorities expelled veteran British sports columnist Mihir Bose a day after his arrival to cover the Zimbabwe versus Sri Lanka cricket series.
The Daily Telegraph writer was told he had applied too late for accreditation and was put on a plane to Johannesburg the next morning. - Sapa-AFP
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