State of the media in Southern Africa - 2004 publisher of The Tribune, Kindness Paradza told MISA-Zimbabwe that the MIC letter to the ATN states that ATN failed to inform the MIC that The Tribune newspaper, initially published on Thursdays as The Business Tribune and on Saturdays as The Weekend Tribune had been merged into one, The Tribune is now published on Fridays only. Paradza adds that the letter states that the paper changed its title, imprint and ownership without notifying the MIC. The letter also states that the paper employed an unaccredited journalist, Bekithemba Mhlanga as a reporter. Paradza informed MISA-Zimbabwe that they never employed Mhlanga who made contributions through the “Letters to the editor” pages. Paradza also said that they challenge the closure tomorrow. • UPDATE Date: June 9, 2004 Persons/Institutions: Samuel Nkomo , Rachel Kupara, Michael Mattinson , Brian Mutsau Violation(s): Censored Four directors of The Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ), publishers of the banned “Daily News” and “Daily News on Sunday” pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, June 9 2004, to charges of publishing without a licence. The four face charges under section 66 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, (AIPPA), for publishing without a license from the government appointed Media and Information Commission. The state contends that ANZ directors, Samuel Nkomo and directors Rachel Kupara, Michael Mattinson and Brian Mutsau published the “Daily News” illegally on October 24 2003, six weeks after it was shut down. The comeback edition was published a day after the administrative court ruled that the Media and Information Commission (MIC) had erred in denying the ANZ a licence when it applied for one in September 2003. MIC executive chairperson, Dr Tafataona Mahoso testified that the newspaper editors misinterpreted the court ruling and should have waited before restarting publication of the newspaper. The Administrative court had on October 23 2003 ordered that the ANZ be granted a licence by November 30. Resuming publication immediately was “the accused’s interpretation” of the judgment, said Tafataona Mahoso. “Following the judgment of October 23 2003, it (the paper) should have waited until after the 30th of November,” he contended. “In my understanding, the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe was publishing outside the law,” said Mahoso. On July 12 the four ANZ directors sought a court ruling discharging them from charges of having printed the “Daily News” illegally on October 25, 2003. The Directors say the state has failed to prove its case against them. On September 20 2004, the ANZ and its four directors who were being jointly charged with contempt of court and publishing The Daily News without the requisite licence, were acquitted of the charges. • UPDATE Date: June 21, 2004 Persons/Institutions: Africa Tribune Newspapers (ATN) (Pvt) Ltd (The Tribune) Violation(s): Censored On June 21 2004, the High Court reserved judgment in the case in which Africa Tribune Newspapers (ATN) (Pvt) Ltd, the publisher of “The Tribune” weekly newspaper are challenging the Media and Information Commission’s (MIC) decision to cancel its license. On July 21 2004, the high court upheld a decision by the Media and Information Commission to suspend the license of The Tribune newspaper for a year. So This Is Democracy? 2004 149 Media Institute of Southern Africa