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Forget about community radios, says Charamba

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Forget about community radios, says Charamba
Moses Ziyambi

MASVINGO – Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, George Charamba last week dealt a devastating blow to hopes for the licensing of non-profit community radio stations, saying existing radio stations were serving the community too.
Charamba made the remarks in the presence of Minister Chris Mushohwe and other dignitaries at the official launch of Hevoi FM in Masvingo last Thursday.
Sounding as hawkish as ever, Charamba was unapologetic in his approach, dismissing the pro-community radio lobby as misplaced.
“Word rekuti community radio presupposes kuti kune imwe radio isingasevhi community. Ndeipi iyoyo? Inosevha ani? ….Kana isingasevhi community iri kutaura kunani? National haisi community here, commercial haisi community here mutawindi? …. Ndangoti nditi gagagagaga vamwe vachagumbuka vamwe vachasekerera zvisinei ndihwo upenyu hwacho, ndihwo ukama hwacho. Hatingogari tichingofara asi zvandakaudzwa naminister ndezvekuti we must make policies that make sense on the ground,” said Charamba.
He argued that the community radio idea was a foreign concept that the people wanted to blindly copy and paste onto the local arena without evaluating its significance to local needs.
“After all, no idea is compatible with all conditions; it depends on how you tether it within a specific social milieu,” he said.
In response, the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (Zacras), the biggest community radio lobby in the country, issued a statement condemning Charamba for opposing democratic principles on open airwaves.
“It is the normal behavior of those who hold power when they feel challenged and we expect that. It is dangerous and irresponsible for Charamba, a public official, to attempt to fool the public by pretending to be confused by the difference between community and commercial radio,” reads part of the statement.
In the recent past, government licensed a number of commercial radios belonging to individuals with strong connections to the ruling Zanu PF party but has steadfastly refused to do the same for non-commercial ones despite its own survey findings known as the IMPI report pointing to the need for them.
Hevoi FM, and two more commercial stations, belongs to the AB Communications stable which is owned Postal and Courier Services minister Supa Mandiwanzira.local

Zanu rigged big time in Chiwundura

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Mapombi was waiting patiently to hear from Prof Jonathan Moyo about General Chiwenga’ PhD from KwaZulu Natal University. In fact, I was expecting our good general to dare Moyo to reveal the author of the general’s thesis as alleged by the silly prof but surprisingly, commander vakabva vati mwiro.
Kwedu tikaona zvadai taibva tati abwandira atya! That silence tells Mapombi that Prof Moyo might not be very far from the truth kuti PhD vakanyorerwa vakuru ava. Mapombi read from one State-controlled newspaper desperately trying to cover up. Hanzi Prof Moyo fails to back Chiwenga’s PhD allegations hahahaha ko kana muchiigona jenarizimu yacho makangodii kubvunza Chiwenga wacho kuti ko nhai shefu munonzi makanyorerwa zvakamira sei so that he can provide evidence if he indeed wrote on his own. Chete isu vana Mapombi hatina kuita jenarizimu so regai tisone yedu muromo otherwise we will be accused of too much yep-yepping.
But I have one burning question before I rest my case: Saka makanyorerwa zvese kubva kuZJC here nhai General?
Mapombi heard there was a by-election in Chiwundura over the weekend and Zanu PF won as usual but this time I heard their rigging was exposed. So they used to rig all along vachingoti tahwina zvine mutsindo?
Election Resource Centre (ERC) exposed ZEC’s hand in massive electoral fraud by duplicating some voters’ names leading to people voting twice and more. Now there is overwhelming evidence that ZEC and Zanu PF have been in an unholy alliance to rig elections. Hamunyare makaita seiko vanhu imi? You have been amassing wealth since 1980 hamusati maguta nanhasi?
If anything, the Chiwundura by-election exposed how ZEC has been conniving with Zanu PF to rig elections all along and they are likely to do the same come 2018 general elections.
Even with this Biometric Voter Registration (BVR), ZEC will always find a way to rig elections in favour of Zanu PF as they did in Chiwundura over the weekend. Under normal circumstances, or should I say under normal leadership, the by-elections results in Chiwundura were supposed to be nullified after such stuggering electoral fraud.
But because ZEC is not concerned and there is nothing amiss about it to them as they are used to rigging, the results will stand and according to ZEC, everything is above board. They are just shameless. Havana kana ganda kumeso vanhu vacho zvachose.
They don’t even care that professionals have since abandoned their beautiful houses to sleep on verandas while on bank queues; potholes are now everywhere and everyone is literally now a vendor. They failed to solve the cash crisis and the conditions of living are getting worse every day yet they still want to run this country.
Even at 94 years! Kkkkkkkk Zimbabwe inyika yakasekwa zveshuwa.
By the way, Mapombi heard vakomana vakanga vafunga kudealer naye Grace once and for all. I heard akaita zvekukwekweredzwa ipapo paAirport ipapo kkkkkkk but munomuiteiko Marujata?
Manje ari kupepa umwe these days ndianiko? Mudhara anenge achinzwawo maziso uku mukadzi gumbo rakanga radamburwa nevakomana kkkkkk rwendo runo handei tione.
Mapombi once told you that Lacoste is too desperate to take over power before year end and they can do anything especially nekufamba kwava kuita nguva uku. The target now is to eliminate Grace then after that, it will be easy to deal with the 93 year-old leader.
Many people think Mapombi anopenga but kana ndichitaura batai manzwi – handisati ndambotaura rinopotsa bvunzai vanondiziva. I might be a mad person but I am telling you the naked truth.
If I were Grace, I would rather stay at home or in Malaysia because zvekuda kungofamba famba izvi tichainzwa mhere chete. Mind you mukadzi waTsvangirai wakangofa zvikarova.
Mapombi heard that Lacoste has since realised that Grace is the biggest hindrance kuti vasatora chinhu so, as you might be aware kuti kuuraya ndokwavo, they are now plotting to graduate her to heaven.
Of course vana Tyson and Prof Jonso are also playing their part kuti mudhara arambe ari panyanga but once Grace is not in the picture, it will be game over. Thank God nothing serious happened at the airport as it was reported but remember kuti mheni ikapotsa inosiya yakandira mazai – painodzoka munochiona.
Mapombi can safely tell you guys that Grace might no longer be that safe. I used to dismiss those who used to say politics is a dirty game but now I totally agree. It’s becoming even dirtier!
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time regai ndindozvikangirwa hangu maputi angu for lunch ndizvidyire zvangu mhandire dzangu ndinyerere.
But how can I get access to Cde Mphoko? I miss this comedian cum VP very much. Thank God there was no drama last week when he was the Acting President. But I am sure something is in the making because vagarisa vasina kumboshuta firimu. Mboko imboko!mapombi

Thomas Chauke supports Great Limpopo Cultural Fair

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Chauke and his band performing at Tshovani Stadium


Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Musician Thomas Chauke last week staged his debut performance at Tshovani Stadium as part of efforts to raise funds for the ongoing Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair.
The musician, with his Xinyori Sisters band, gave an energetic performance which helped cement his status as one of the greatest musician singing in Xitsonga to ever emerge out of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique; the three countries with the biggest population of Shangani-speaking people.
The fundraiser was one of the many initiatives that have been put in place to mobilise resources for the cross-cultural fair which are being held at Mhlanguleni.
The cultural programme involves performances by people living in the communities around the border areas of the three neighbouring countries.
“This was my first show in Zimbabwe and I really enjoyed it. It was an honour to be called to perform in front of our fans outside of South Africa. I have relatives in here in Zimbabwe, the Chaukes, but I am from South Africa,” Chauke said.
Director of the Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair, Herbert Pikela also said the show had added value to the cultural fair.
“Chauke’s show and his partners has served as an awareness campaign; meaning the whole of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe now knows the importance of the cultural fair and we also look forward to an improved turnout of exhibitors,” said Pikela.entertainment

Team Lacoste targets all Chiredzi district MPs

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TellZim Reporter

Having assumed total control of Masvingo province, through the endorsement of Zanu PF provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira by President Robert Mugabe at a youth interface rally at Mucheke Stadium recently, Team Lacoste is now reported to be targeting to topple all incumbent legislators that are linked to the rival faction, Generation 40 (G40) at the party primaries.
At least 17 legislators from the 26 constituencies in Masvingo province are said to be sympathetic to G40 faction and the quartet of Darlington Chiwa (Chiredzi West), Denford Masiya (Chiredzi East), Calisto Gwanetsa (Chiredzi South) and Robert Mukwena (Chiredzi North) from Chiredzi district, has become the first target.
A series of meetings will be held in Chiredzi district with the Team Lacoste-dominated Masvingo provincial executive descending on the district to campaign for their preferred candidates ahead of the primaries.
The four incumbent legislators are reported to be sympathetic to Generation 40 (G40) faction which rabidly opposes Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendency to replace the 93 year-old President Robert Mugabe.
Chiwa is targeted to be replaced by Farai Musikavanhu, Gwanetsa by former Chiredzi South legislator Ailles Baloyi and former Chiredzi North MP Ronald Ndava is tipped to replace Mukwena at the party primaries, while Lacoste is still looking for a perfect match for Masiya in Chiredzi East.
Reliable sources from the Team Lacoste camp revealed to TellZim News that the faction has since started holding meetings in the district. The political meetings are however disguised as developmental meetings where they are mobilising support for their preferred candidates while de-campaigning the incumbents.
It is said that the quartet is also being sacrificed for their role in blocking the invasion of Tongaat Hulett sugarcane farms for which the majority of Lacoste faction got offer letters few years ago.
Chiwa has been on record defending Tongaat Hullet, which employs close to 20 000 workers in the Lowveld, saying those interested in sugarcane farming should be given virgin land, not Triangle and Hippo Valley estates.
Mukwena might be the first to lose in this battle amid reports that he did very little for people in Chiredzi North. In fact, Mukwena is only popular for travelling to Harare for parliamentary sessions using chicken buses. His predecessor Ndava is said to have done far much better than him and the electorate has already shown dislike for Mukwena.
The case is however different in Chiredzi East where Masiya is dearly loved by the electorate. Masiya, through Mangwa Quip where he is one of the directors, constructed more than two schools and a clinic. He is also credited with rehabilitating roads in the constituency.
Mangwa Quip also resuscitated Arda-Nandi estates through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and employed dozens in the process. It is because of these and many other projects that endeared Masiya to the electorate. Team Lacoste, therefore, has to find a perfect match for him or they would simply rig the election in their favour since they control the province.
Lacoste might also struggle to remove Chiwa in West especially with Musikavanhu, a candidate who has been part of the top Tongaat Hullet management, because the majority of workers at the sugar company bemoaned low salaries during his time. On the other hand, Chiwa was lobbying for salary increases for these workers.
Baloyi is eyeing a comeback in Chiredzi South but the electorate seems to be still angry with him over alleged misuse of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) between 2009 and 2013. He therefore, has a mammoth task to convince the electorate on the matter; even Lacoste might fail to do that.
Gwanetsa has done fairly well even without the CDF.
If Lacoste succeed in removing the quartet by rigging primaries, then Zanu PF might lose one or two of the constituencies through ‘Bhora musango'.politics

Government will support private community newspapers: Mahoso

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From left…ZMC CEO Dr Tafataona Mahoso, Academy Chinamhora and CNAZ chairperson Tawanda Munikwa

TellZim News Reporter

Kwekwe – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Dr Tafataona Mahoso has assured the Community Newspapers Association of Zimbabwe (CNAZ) that the government was ready to support privately-run community newspapers.
Speaking to publishers of community newspapers in Kwekwe last week, Dr Mahoso, who for long had been perceived to be an enemy of the private media and free speech, said the role of community newspapers in the development of the country can never be downplayed.
He said community newspapers had more influence than other newspapers in helping the people to make critical decisions.
According to Dr Mahoso, ZMC has since approached Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and other government institutions, urging them to work with community newspapers.
“ZEC must work with you community newspapers because you are the people who are on the ground. National papers do not have the kind of influence that you have in your communities. It’s high time that government institutions are urged to focus on community newspapers.
“We need to strengthen community newspapers in Zimbabwe because they have the capacity to end political violence and electoral disputes,” said Dr Mahoso.
However, Dr Mahoso said the government was determined to see at least two Black vernacular newspapers being launched before the end of this year.
The two newspapers, however, must not be in Shona and Ndebele but any other indigenous languages spoken in many areas across the country
“We want to see you coming up with at least two community newspapers in our own vernaculars before the end of this year,” he said.
Publishers who attended the workshop praised TellZim News for taking the initiative to write stories in Shangani language to cater for the people of Mwenezi during the Mwenezi East by-election campaign in April this year.
Midlands State University (MSU) Media and Society lecturer Dr Zvenyika Mugari urged publishers to think outside the box.
“You need to be innovative and think outside the box. At the moment you need to see how best you can promote your sales in this cashless society,” said Dr Mugari.
A staffer with ZMC, Academy Chinamhora reminded publishers of the obligations of the mass media services in Zimbabwe.local

Nyashanu High whiz kid scoops POTRAZ essay writing award

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Cheril Chinomona

TellZim Reporter

BUHERA – Cheril Chinomona, a Form One pupil at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ)-run Nyashanu High School has scooped this year’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulation Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) essay writing competition held for Manicaland province.
The pupil, whose essay was judged to be the best among thousands of other essays written by other high school pupils across the province, was presented with the award at a colourful ceremony held at the school in the presence of many dignitaries.
The number two and three in the essay writing competition came from Makumbe and Hill Crest High schools but the writers had to travel to Nyashanu High which won the right to host the event on account of producing the pupil who wrote the best essay.
The essay topic was ‘Imagine you are an advisor to the new UN Secretary-General, which world issue would you help him tackle first and how would you advise him to solve it?’
Nyashanu High School head Daniel Jeche praised Chinimona for her creativity and said the achievement had served to make the right portrayal of Nyashanu High as a school where brains are sharpened and whiz kids are produced.
He thanked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as well as the POTRAZ management for coming up with the initiative of incentivising excellence and promoting critical thinking among pupils through essay writing.
“As a school, we are grateful for this recognition. Special thanks goes to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which allows us to take part in this kind of initiatives and we also extend our gratitude to the POTRAZ management for committing resources to this cause,” said Jeche.
The school head also thanked RCZ for supporting the school and all the educational initiatives in which it is involved.
 “I would like to thank the RCZ for always giving us the green light to take part in events related to our core business of creating great minds through quality education,” Jeche said.education

‘Sabhuku Vharazipi’ launches new drama

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David Mubayiwa (4th from right) and Voice cast at the launch of the new drama in Masvingo

…says Vharazipi 4 not coming soon

TellZim Reporter

MASVINGO – The Ziya Arts Cultural Group, producers of the famous drama series, ‘Sabhuku Vharazipi’, were at the Chevron Hotel yesterday (Friday) where they launched a new drama called Voice.
The group also revealed that the popular Sabhuku Vharazipi series would not be continued any time soon because it was highly likely that the work would be heavily pirated if released without the necessary security measures in place.
Speaking at a press conference of the launch of Voice, Wellington Chindara, popularly known as Chairman, in the series, said Sabhuku Vharazipi 4 will not be on the market in the short run.
“We are not launching Vharazipi 4 soon. We have launched Voice and this is a way of trying to curb piracy. Some people have already began selling fake DVDs which they stitched up together and are now misrepresenting as Vharazipi four,” said Chindara
In Voice, the theme and setting is different as the new drama has an urban setting and a theme which revolves around areas of raising awareness on the plight of people living with disabilities.
In the drama, Voice, a disabled man, is in a relationship with a prominent businessman’s daughter but the girl’s family is not amused by the affair.
Murambatsvina the businessman, has learnt of the affair from his spoilt son Able, and he catches the two lovers on a picnic and goes on to harass them.
A fight ensues and Murambatsvina is rescued by the police but the tide turns against the lovers.
In the play, David Mubaiwa (Vharazipi) double casts as a police officer and as a stammering disabled liberation war survivor who mentors Voice on how best he can recite his poem.
Mbuya Mai John casts as Voice’s mother who stays in a squatter camp and is arrested during a police raid in the illegal settlement.
The production of the film was done in China and the team said they have original CDs with distinctive features that they say cannot be copied.local,entertainment

Parents stage two-week demo as head impregnates pupil

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Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – A two weeks-long demonstration by parents has been held against Revuli Secondary School head Nyunguma Mandava whom they are accusing of impregnating a pupil at the school school.
Mandava, according to close sources, impregnated the pupil after an illicit love affair dating back many months.
Parents began staging demonstrations two weeks ago and some pupils are said to being joining the fray to express their outrage against the alleged misdeeds of the school head.
Parents from Manyama, Bhani and other surrounding villages are said to have gone to the school calling for Mandava’s dismissal from the school.
When contacted for comment, Mandava admitted that demonstrations had happened at the school but flatly refused to provide any comment, referring all questions to the District Education Office.
“Yes, but I cannot comment on the matter unless I am given permission by my superiors and I refer all questions to the district office,” said Mandava.
Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga yielded nothing by the time of going to press.local

Bikita man cheats death as he fights hyenas with bare hands

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Felix Zunde

BIKITA – A brave man recently involved himself in a drama of Biblical Samson-style proportions and became a local model of a Thai warrior when he used his bare hands to fight a pack of vicious and hungry hyenas that swarmed his homestead in the night to attack his cattle.
Fellow villagers told TellZim News that George Mukonza responded to the call of duty after hearing the hyenas laughing all over his homestead.
The incident happened in Mukonza village under headman Chirorwe, whose mountainous area has seen many villagers suffering heavy losses to the rampaging nocturnal predators.
Though Mukonza has been discharged from Silveira Mission Hospital where he was rushed for treatment, TellZim News could not get in touch with him as he is said to be still recuperating and not ready to relate the incidence to the media just as yet.
Sources, however, said the hyenas attacked Mukonza after he disrupted their ravenous plans to feast on his livestock, the very wealthy on which livelihood depends.
“Mukonza found himself mobbed by a hungry pack of smiling canines. Neighbours and his two children Tatenda and Trymore rushed to the scene and found him on the ground bleeding but fighting fiercely. Had it not been for their timely intervention, the man could be history by now,” said a source.
The source said Mukonza escaped with a mauled hand and a bruised body after the hyenas scurried away as more people began to attack them.
Many people including the young are experiencing sleepless nights guarding their livestock against the marauding predators which are said to be escaping from Devuli Ranch.
The disgusting predators hibernate during day and start roaming during the night, attacking goats and cattle in the villages.
“In Magahane Mountain, they start laughing and roaming around Mupatausingazibwi as early as six o’clock in the evening. People have already put in place a curfew. In Gangare alone, Antony Jangano, an Agritex officer and Winnie Chauke, a farmer have lost nearly twenty cattle,” said another source.
No comment could immediately be obtained from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) by the time of going to press.top news

Press Release

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William Shin, Ann Baek
press_gw@hwpl.kr

Reporters Advocate Freedom of Expression for Democracy

 “Consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development.” – Quoted from Declaration of Windhoek

May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day adopted by the United Nations to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek drafted by African journalists in 1991 to develop the principle of the freedom of press. In this year the annual commemoration seeks “Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies” by UNESCO in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Freedom of Press and Social Development

Press freedom and the Social Progress Index
 ‘Press Freedom and Development’ by the Center for Peace and Human Security points out that freedom of the press and a good government are interrelated to each other and “promote the economy and development of the state.”

Suppression of the Press and Violation of
Journalists’ Rights

Amnesty International states that “Journalists in many African countries who cover the articles on corruption and violation against human rights are being threatened. This is the very reason why press freedom is rising to the surface.” The organisation further emphasised that the government should create an environment where a journalist can perform their duty without feeling threatened, pressurized or fear.

“Journalism is one of the professions that are most exposed to threats, and this is especially true for female journalists. This constitutes a threat not only to women and quality journalism but also to freedom of expression, equality and democracy,” says Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, greeting the World Press Freedom Day. She further added to her statement: “We need to work continuously on different levels to ensure that these issues are never forgotten or ignored.”

In Zimbabwe, journalists of Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe discussed “the approach towards information and basic freedom” on the World Press Freedom Day last year. Regarding the arrest of journalists from the Sunday Mail and NewsDay due to government restriction of information and a libel suit, a freelancer journalist participant Pindai Dube stated, “we even have government officials criticizing some of the media laws but nothing practical has been done.” Thabani Moyo, advocacy officer of the MISA-Zimbabwe also added, “A law exists, which restricts the joy of free media and information access.”

The international organisation to defend freedom of the press, RSF, and international human rights organisation Freedom House, uncovered through a yearly report that the freedom of the press has declined globally.  Stronger dictatorial tendencies in governments around the world and increasing numbers of security issues such as terror and refugees in Europe were given as the reasons. Restrictions on broadcasting, reporting and news coverage through online are under surveillance of government in the name of national security.

In contrast, Sweden, a country of the world’s first press freedom law in 1766, abolished censorship of publications so that citizens are free to read public documents and participate in political discussions. According to Anne Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Korea, the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act played an important role in shaping the present welfare state that is Sweden, enabling free communication in an open society and national development through the critical inspection of the people.

Activities to Regain Freedom of Press

African countries and journalists have acknowledged the positive effects of freedom of the press, and are engaged in activities to secure it. The Right2Know Campaign which began in South Africa in 2010, has its roots in “release of information” and “freedom of expression,” and is raising its voice to strengthen and unite the rights of citizens to know.  MISA, the West African Journalists Association (with chapters in 16 countries) and the East African Journalists Association have been active as professional watchdog organizations for the freedom of the press as well as expression since the Windhoek Declaration.

International efforts for freedom of press in relation to democracy and peace in the globe have been underway. The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted by international law experts and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)  under the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), advocates international cooperation for peacebuilding at local, national and international levels.  With its peace initiatives in international law for peace and advocacy campaigns in international organizations, the DPCW addresses the need to establish a global order based on the peaceful resolution of conflicts, ethnic/religious freedom, and spreading a culture of peace. To achieve this, HWPL’s annual peace summit discusses plans of actions with 1,000 global leaders and experts from politics, academia, law, media, religion, women and youth. In the summit this year, journalists and reporters around the world will discuss at the “Forum for Global Peace Media Network – Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative”.

The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem, who participated in the Media Forum held last year, said, “It’s the first time for Syria to work with this kind of peace organization. I really hope to deliver true peace to the people of Syria.” According to RSF statistics, Syria is a country whose press freedom index ranks 177th out of 180 countries; resolution of press suppression and the guarantee of freedom of expression of the press is urgently needed.


 The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem ‘s Interview at the Media Forum
of the 2nd Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit