Zimbabwe amends media bill

Mugabe is seeking re-election as president in the March poll

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Zimbabwe's government is poised to pass a controversial bill designed to severely limit the media and stifle freedom of speech.

The bill, which has been twice-postponed, is seen as an attempt by President Robert Mugabe to silence opposition in his bid for re-election in March.

Part of it allows for restricting access to Zimbabwe to foreign correspondents and the state licensing of domestic journalists. ends

It is expected to be passed on Wednesday by parliament -- where Mugabe's ZANU-PF party holds a majority in the 150-seat house -- although in an amended form following national complaints and international condemnation.

There has also been speculation that even some of Mugabe's supporters fear unpopular legislation could make it harder for the president to extend his 22-year rule in the face of a stiff opposition challenge in the March 9-10 vote.

The original legislation barred foreigners from working as correspondents.

The revised bill allows foreigners with permanent residence to work in Zimbabwe.

But journalists who are not citizens or permanent residents will be restricted.

"These are fairly cosmetic changes. It will continue to restrict freedom of expression," said Takura Zhangazha, advocacy officer for the Media Institute of Southern Africa.

Parliament normally begins sittings at 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT).

Speaking to the Herald newspaper, Information Minister Jonathan Moyo denied there were divisions within ZANU-PF over the legislation.

"We are pleased that consultations within the ruling party and with open-minded and objective public media houses and editors have yielded a result we are all happy with," he said.

The government still plans to set up a state-appointed commission vested with powers to license journalists but it dropped the threat of new penalties against journalists accused of denigrating the office of the president.

The government had taken back the bill last week to amend it after a parliamentary committee called it unconstitutional.

A copy of the amended bill made available to journalists on Tuesday showed the government had made minor changes but media analysts said the spirit of the legislation remained intact.

Zimbabwean media groups petitioned the government and parliament on Monday to throw out the bill, saying existing legislation was adequate to curb defamation and maintain public order.

But a senior official said at the weekend it was "crucial to restoring law and order in a media industry thriving on hate journalism and abuse of journalistic privileges."