The state-run Media and Information Commission has descended on Zimbabwean based online publications, The Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

An employee at the MIC confirmed news websites are now required to get a license at a fee of $10 billion.

“After making the payment, the applicant is required to fill in some forms with about 14 questions and return them back for vetting,” she said.

However, a lot of local news websites and reporters are poised to escape the net as they operate under cover, using pseudo names. Most of the online journalists are reporters with the print publications in the country.

According to local law experts, the MIC ceased to exist in January 2008 following the signing into law of amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

This means anything done by the MIC after 11 January 2008 is of no legal force and shall be considered as a non-event.

The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), which is still to be constituted will replace the MIC.

“Currently, it takes 30 days for the organisation to respond to an applicant,” the MIC employee said.

In 2007, the state reportedly “blacklisted” 41 online publications that were tabled at a politburo meeting.

It emerged politburo members hinted “ZANU PF must pause and think who is behind the creation of ‘these websites’, the target market of the websites, the influence and impact they have on Zimbabweans and what the image of ZANU PF and its leadership looks like ‘out there as portrayed’.”

Last week, at the MIC offices, a certain reporter with a local news website wanted to get accreditation as usual, but was hassled.

“Please go tell your employer to come get some forms for registering the website.”

“It is against the law to operate without a license,” she said.

Late last year, the Zimbabwean government placed a filter on both websites and e-mail, which allows it to intercept almost all internet communication in the country. A couple of individuals have since been nabbed through this development.

A certain MIC male employee responsible for vetting was called in to confirm to the online reporter that these were the new developments.

“Which local website do you write for? What do you write about?” he asked the journalist.

After being given the website address, he went to his office to check for himself. He returned and his workmates asked what they should do.

“There’s nothing ‘serious’ on the website, accredit only him, the rest of his team has to wait until their employer gets a license.”

“Get some forms at the reception and give them to your employer. Please emphasise your website has to register as soon as possible,” he added.

Though the MIC collected application forms last year, it took the organization long to come up with registration fees for both journalists and media houses. Figures were only released in February this year.

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