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Zimbabwe:
Song banned for allegedly criticising ruling party
A song composed by Tongai Moyo, a popular Zimbabwean musician, has reportedly been denied air play by the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), which has sole monopoly of the country’s airwaves, reported Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) from Windhoek, Namibia.
SOURCE: This news story was distributed via email alert by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) clearing house on 20 January 2009
According to the weekly "Standard" edition of 18-24 January 2009, Tongai Moyo confirmed that the song: ‘Kukanda Nekuvhika’ had been banned by Radio Zimbabwe because it is deemed critical of the Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front (Zanu PF). ZBC’s public relations manager, Sivukile Simango, however, denied that the song had been banned. A disc jockey at Radio Zimbabwe reportedly confirmed the ban and said they were given orders not to play the song.
“No song from Tongai's new album has been removed from the airwaves. Maybe it's just the DJs who do not want to play it,” said Simango.
The song allegedly makes references to the power-sharing agreement signed by Zanu PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations in Harare on 15 September 2008. Tongai Moyo denies that his song is about President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF but adds that as a musician it is his business to comment on day-to-day socio-economic and political developments in the country.
For further information, contact Kaitira Kandjii, Regional Director, or Rashweat Mukundu, Programme Specialist, MISA, Private Bag 13386, Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: +264 61 232 975, fax: +264 61 248 016
E-mail: director (at) misa . org — rashweat (at) misa . org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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