V-c slaps campus ban on the press

The University of Zimbabwe has barred journalists from interviewing academics on campus without the permission of vice-chancellor Graham Hill.

The move follows a ban on political meetings on campus and a threat to destroy university property by war veterans angered by an academic's views.

In a memo to the university's security chief, Professor Hill wrote:

"Persons from media organisations are not allowed on campus without prior permission and written approval from the vice-chancellor... Any person found failing to comply with this directive will face disciplinary action."

Information officer Elizabeth Karonga said the personal views of academics interviewed by reporters were being taken as official comments by the university. Also, in Zimbabwe's volatile political environment, the university was concerned about the rights and safety of staff and students.

Another factor was an incident involving an academic whose published views had angered war veterans, the former liberation struggle soldiers who have occupied thousands of white-owned farms around Zimbabwe and caused much violence.

"The war veterans threatened to destroy university property, and we have no doubt they would have manhandled the academic had they got hold of him."

The university's student council and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists attacked the ruling.