Gerry Jackson, Station Manager of SW Radio Africa*, writes concerning today’s Al Jazeera report on the ‘million man march’ in Harare, in support of Robert Mugabe:
“Their correspondent, Supa Mandiwanzira, is a known supporter of the ruling party and also provides reports to the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation.
“He does not mention that thousands of people were bussed into the capital from the rural areas either by force or - in the case of those who received farm equipment from the Reserve Bank - were told to join the march or lose this equipment. Throughout Friday morning soldiers and police went around high density residential areas, forcing people out of their homes to march. Those who refused were beaten.
“Our correspondent was badly beaten and had his camera taken by police when he tried to photograph the marchers (the authorities do not know that he works for us).
“We are concerned about the accuracy of the reports on Zimbabwe that are emanating from Al Jazeera, particularly as they are the ‘only international news network allowed to report from Zimbabwe.’”
* SW Radio Africa is an independent station run by and for Zimbabweans. It broadcasts on shortwave to Southern Africa, and worldwide on the Internet. It is not affiliated to any political party.
on Dec 1st, 2007 at 02:13
From what I have watched ,Supa Mandiwanzira is a brilliant journalist. I find his reports quite balanced compared to the one sided reportage that we hear from the SW Radio Africa. Most of the stuff from SW Radio Africa reminds me of The Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation. How independent are you, Gerry? .
on Dec 4th, 2007 at 10:03
I am disappointed by the unnecessary sniping among Zimbabwean journalists. I have watched on youtube the Supa Mandiwanzira video that Gerry is complaining about and I don’t see anything biased a bout that report. I have also been watching news reported from Zimbabwe by Supa Mandiwanzira, and I find it very balanced. I am very impressed to say the least.
I have listened to Gerry Jackson’s radio station and there is very little doubt that it is an MDC mouthpiece.