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This comes after Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation chief correspondent, Rueben Barwe was recently denied a visa by the Italian embassy in Harare to travel to the Vatican to cover the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II.
This was despite the fact that he was part of the presidential delegation.
Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity, Mr George Charamba, this week described the Italian embassy’s actions as unfortunate and that journalists were now being targeted in the stand off between Zimbabwe and the West.
“We have started seeing a new phenomenon where journalists are being targeted to stop them from the lawful gathering of news outside Zimbabwe.
“This is seriously an attack on the media. Everyday I am clearing media houses from the EU and America for purposes of gathering news and I facilitate their entry from the same countries stopping our brothers,” Mr Charamba said.
He said Government could be forced to take similar action against foreign journalists who might want to cover events in Zimbabwe.
Mr Charamba said the decision to deny a visa to a journalist accompanying President Mugabe on a foreign trip was tantamount to harassing the Head of State and Government and Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“This is completely not acceptable and there are measures to be taken,” he said.
Mr Charamba applauded the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists for condemning the sanctioning of local journalists.
Some of the journalists on Western sanctions list are: Barwe, Zimpapers group editor-in-chief Pikirayi Deketeke, Herald deputy editor Caesar Zvayi, freelance journalist and former ZBC news anchor Musorowegomo Mukosi, Sunday Mail assistant editor
Munyaradzi Huni and ZBC diplomatic correspondent Judith Makwanya.
He applauded the Zimbabwe Media Commission for licensing more newspapers, but warned the media to be responsible in their reportage.
“As the media begins to thrive, they should play by the rules of the book,” Mr Charamba said.
He singled out a story in last week’s edition of the Standard newspaper alleging that the commanders of state security arms had urged President Mugabe to retire as unfounded and irresponsible journalism.
“Not a single identifiable source is quoted. If the sources are so credible why not mention them,” Mr Charamba said.
Meanwhile EU representative to Zimbabwe, Mr Aldo Dell’Aricia, yesterday defended the move by the bloc to blacklist the journalists.
“While the inclusion of the journalists on the list could be considered as an infringement of the freedom of press but the reason for the persons to be on the list was that they were promoting hatred and promoting violence through their profession,” he said.
Mr Dell’Aricia said the removal of persons on the sanctions list was an on-going exercise and would be determined by developments in the country.
“It is a continuing process and already several people were taken away from the list, the EU is ready to review the process based on the reports we receive from Zimbabweans,” Mr Dell’Aricia said.
The EU removed 35 people from the travel embargo in February and this followed revelations by whistleblower website that MDC-T secretary general Mr Tendai Biti was instrumental in determining the individuals that were denied entry into the bloc.
Online Reporter