The MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvagirai has expressed concerns about attempts by Zanu PF to derail the party’s efforts to provide an audio news service via a new information platform launched last week.
The audio service, dubbed the Voice of Real Change, is meant to give the people of Zimbabwe a new and exciting platform to know what is happening in the country and in their party.
‘However, the service has since been terminated and suspended after Zanu PF, through the regulatory authority put pressure on Econet to block some of the lines used for the service,’ a statement read.
The party said within three days of operation, Zanu PF threatened cellular phone service providers, Econet Wireless, Net-One and Telecel with closure following the MDC’s use of cellular lines for the audio service.
‘It is heartening to note that the other lines, Net-one and Telecel lines used in the audio service have not been blocked and continue to operate without any hindrances. The Telecel and Net-one numbers such as 0734142600 and 0713 102 917 have not been blocked.’
The party said it was telling to note that their service had been disrupted hard on the heels of a threat to one of the cellular phone service providers by one Nathaniel Manheru, who is widely believed to be ‘a senior but misguided civil servant in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity.’
‘These political threats on our audio service are a threat to plurality and the basic freedoms of speech and association and we will not take them lightly. As a party, we value the need for Zimbabweans to have many platforms to converse and interact. Our audio service is not a violation of any laws of the country, but provides a new, unique and exciting platform for Zimbabweans to exercise their basic freedom of speech within the law.’
‘We believe in plurality and a multiplicity of voices across the spectrum. We believe in the sacrosanct right of Zimbabweans to exercise this right without any fear of self-appointed demi-gods who have a penchant to stifle democracy and reform.’
Under the MDC new information platform, Zimbabweans call a set of cellular phone numbers which include Econet, Net-One and Telecel lines. The numbers will immediately cut off and a call-back facility will ensure that people are called back to receive various options in all languages.
The options will include, news round-up, party President Morgan Tsvangirai’s weekly message, the MDC’s position on the Constitution making process, party events and a feedback platform where Zimbabweans can leave their messages to the party.
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