(NEWZIMBABWE) Shamu fumes over Mugabe 'denigration'

Shamu fumes over Mugabe 'denigration'
13/09/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

INFORMATION Minister Webster Shamu has threatened to “take measures” to stop the media from “denigrating” President Robert Mugabe – an apparent response to the media coverage of leaked United States embassy cables revealing President Robert Mugabe’s failing health.

Shamu said the coalition government had done much for press freedom since 2009 by licensing more newspapers and lifting restrictions on foreign journalists, but claims this freedom is being abused.

"Of late, these media houses and pirate radio stations have intensified their vitriolic attacks and the use of hate language on the person of His Excellency, the President, and the party [Zanu PF], in a well-calculated move aimed at influencing the results of the forthcoming elections. In other words, the execution of the regime change agenda has been intensified,” Shamu told a Zanu PF district conference in Mutare.

“We are not against criticism but vilification. We cannot allow the denigration of the highest office in the land. They are forcing us to take measures and they must stand warned."

Shamu’s threats against what he said were “foreign-sponsored media houses” follows weeks of damaging revelations in local newspapers about widespread criticism of President Robert Mugabe made by senior Zanu PF officials contained in leaked US embassy diplomatic cables.

Top officials including Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono and Youth Development Minister Saviour Kasukuwere are all named as expressing reservations about the party’s direction under Mugabe.

Gono told American diplomats that Mugabe had prostate cancer which would kill him by 2013, although Moyo suggested in separate meetings with the Americans that it may be a more benign throat cancer that was troubling him.

Media advocacy groups are frustrated that the unity government has so far failed to issue licences for radio and television. Concerns will now grow following Shamu’s threats.