The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) has criticised the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe for threatening to take unspecified “strong countermeasures” against a local weekly publication, The Standard.
MAZ described the threat as an attack on press freedom adding that Zimbabwe’s constitution protects the practice of journalism and related freedoms. MAZ said in a statement:
While it is not peculiar that any individual, organisation or even state can have issues with aspects in part or whole of a news story, it is unacceptable to charge the media with unspecified actions.
… MAZ is, thus, taken aback by the intention of a foreign state, in the mould of a global power to counter a national media outlet with unspecified measures.
It is more so worrying that the threats are issued without exhausting legal remedies provided by the host nation.
Outside this diplomatic imperative, there are democratic ways in which any grievances against the media can be tabled.
MAZ advised the Chinese Embassy to take professional routes to air its grievances rather than resorting to threatening the media.
The Chinese Embassy issued a statement last week, warning The Standard, following the publication of a series of reports exposing unlawful activities by Chinese mining companies operating in Zimbabwe.
More: The Standard
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The Chinese do not know what Freedom of the Press is.
These Chinese should know that 16 million Zimbabweans don’t even like them in Zimbabwe only a handful of Zanu pf corrupt looter need them for their crimes against humanity and looting Zimbabwe to China.shut the hell up.
Chinese know very well their stooges in Zanu pf will do and follow their instruction to suffocate the media as they please
Freedom of Press is not found in any Chinese menu..
Chinese are right, MAZ is wrong.
MAZ’s member needlessly and recklessly published unverified information defirming the Chinese companies and nationals. It was not only unprofessional and unethical journalism, it was shameless . One will be forgiven to think that the publication was paid to write derogotarily of the Chinese company in sync with wider American propaganda killing the Zimbabwe economy. Accept and allow Chinese to defend themselves because you are unnecessarily biased towards your prostituting membership.