Zimbabwe to have new independent daily newspaper
Posted by Simon Day on March 13, 2009 at 3:21 AM
Zimbabwe is set to have its first independent daily newspaper in six years, with the planned launch of the NewsDay, newzimbabwe.com reported Thursday. African Media entrepreneur Trevor Ncube announced a US$4 million investment in the paper and describes it as a "litmus test" for the purported liberalisation of the country under the new unity government.
In 2003 Zimbabwe's largest and last privately owned daily newspaper, The Daily News, was forced into closure by the government. Many weekly papers suffered the same fate, as Robert Mugabe closed any forum for opposition support.
In 2003 Zimbabwe's largest and last privately owned daily newspaper, The Daily News, was forced into closure by the government. Many weekly papers suffered the same fate, as Robert Mugabe closed any forum for opposition support.
The new unity government, formed through a power sharing agreement between President Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, has made commitments to democratic reform. Freedom of the press is a part of this change.
Ncube sees the new agreement as both a democratic and ecnomic oppurtunity for the nation. Owner of the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard, as well as the Mail and Guardian published inSouth Africa, he feels "encouraged by the opportunites" offered by the new governing agreement. He was also hopeful for the economic conditions the unity government offers, newzimbabwe.com reported.
"While there have been teething problems, we believe that the new inclusive Zimbabwean government realises the importance of creating an economic environment that encourages local and international investors," Ncube said in a statement, according to newzimbabwe.com.
Although no date has been announced for the first issue of the NewsDay, Necube said the paper could be found at news stands "shortly." Necube said that the project would create 300 new jobs.
Ncube sees the new agreement as both a democratic and ecnomic oppurtunity for the nation. Owner of the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard, as well as the Mail and Guardian published inSouth Africa, he feels "encouraged by the opportunites" offered by the new governing agreement. He was also hopeful for the economic conditions the unity government offers, newzimbabwe.com reported.
"While there have been teething problems, we believe that the new inclusive Zimbabwean government realises the importance of creating an economic environment that encourages local and international investors," Ncube said in a statement, according to newzimbabwe.com.
Although no date has been announced for the first issue of the NewsDay, Necube said the paper could be found at news stands "shortly." Necube said that the project would create 300 new jobs.
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