SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
3 November 2008
A British journalist will appear in a Harare court on Wednesday on allegations of practicing his trade without accreditation - in a clear sign that the pledge by Zimbabwe's political leaders to "uphold and develop press freedom" is little more than an empty promise.
Phillip Warington Taylor was hauled off his return flight from Harare to Britain last Thursday by agents from the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation. The journalist, who had spent 30 days in Zimbabwe, is denying the charges against him, saying he was just a visitor to the country and not practicing journalism.
Taylor, who was ordered to surrender his passport on his arrest, appeared in court last week and was granted bail. He is now set to return to court on Wednesday.
Foreign journalists in Zimbabwe have repeatedly fallen victim to harassment, attacks and arrest by Robert Mugabe's regime, particularly during elections periods. But with the signing of the power sharing agreement it was hoped that such clampdowns on media freedom would be a thing of the past.
Mugabe, his chief political rival MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and leader of the MDC splinter faction, Arthur Mutambara, all put pen to paper signing the agreement, which included an article dedicated to "Freedom of Expression and Communication" - an agreement that has since been proved to be an inadequate, doctored and empty promise.
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