VI. ZANU-PF’s Political Manipulation of Media Bodies The power-sharing government has made some media reforms. International media outlets have been the primary beneficiaries of the modest reforms; the BBC and CNN were allowed to resume reporting from Zimbabwe. But three journalists working for the international media told Human Rights Watch that it was extremely difficult for them to do their work in Zimbabwe as they were under constant surveillance from state security agents.44 Finance Minister Tendai Biti, in an effort to diversify news distribution in Zimbabwe, removed the import duty on all foreign newspaper publications.45 The right to freedom of expression, however, remains severely restricted in Zimbabwe. The government media effectively remain a ZANU-PF monopoly. Although MDC is a partner in the power-sharing government, ZANU-PF continues to unduly influence the governmentcontrolled media, such as the daily paper, The Herald, and the state broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), which airs on both television and radio. The Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), a local media organization, notes that the state-run media does not view the MDC as an equal partner in government, but rather regards it as a beneficiary of ZANU-PF’s benevolence.46 The MDC appears to agree with this analysis. In a September 17, 2009 interview, Prime Minister Tsvangirai accused George Charamba—President Mugabe’s spokesperson and the permanent secretary in the ministry of media, information and publicity—of using state media to vilify the MDC, heighten tensions, and undermine the power-sharing agreement.47 Partly as a response to attacks on the MDC from the government-controlled media, the MDC began its own newsletter on political affairs, which is published weekly from Tsvangirai’s office.48 The newsletter has limited circulation, primarily confined to urban areas. On at least one occasion, police interfered with the distribution of the newsletter, disrupting an MDC 44 Human Rights Watch interviews with three international journalists, Harare, February 15, 2010. 45 Human Rights Watch interviews with three journalists D.K., H.G., and B.H., Harare, February 12, 2010. See also Paul Mutuzu, “Finance Minister Biti presents progressive and positive proposals,” Zimbabwe Telegraph, July 22, 2009, http://www.zimtelegraph.com/?p=1721 (accessed February 16, 2010). 46 Human Rights Watch interview with Dzikamai Machingura, MMPZ advocacy coordinator, Harare, February 11, 2010. 47 Clara Smith, “Mugabe’s man blocking reform,” Zimbabwe Online, September 17, 2009, http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=5125 (accessed March 4, 2010). 48 Human Rights Watch interviews with journalists T.C., A.M., and K.M., Harare, February 11, 2010; and with officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, S.K. and K.M., Harare, February 14, 2010. See also Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism (CISOMM), “Six Month Shadow Report on the Performance of the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe,” CISOMM, 2009, p. 44. Sleight of Hand 16