Rhodesian Newspapers Still Censored

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31461, 30 August 1967, Page 15

Rhodesian Newspapers Still Censored

, (N.Z. Pre«» Ann.— Copyright) SALISBURY, August 29. The censor’s blue ! pencil was still hack- : ing away at newspapers in Rhodesia, in spite of a court test that upheld editorial rights, the Associated Press reported. White spaces continue to ’ appear in Rhodesia’s two daily newspapers, both antiGovernment. They opposed the unilateral declaration of independence nearly two ; years ago, and favour a nego- . tiated Independence. Gaps show where the cen- ■ sor cut out news or opinions 1 which the Government of the 1 Prime Minister, Mr lan Smith, wants suppressed. • Editorials expressing opln- • ions that are anathema to Mr Smith and his Right-wing re- ' gime seem to be the main tar- ' Justice Fleldsend examined the pros and cons of censorship in a defamation case brought against the In- ’ formation Minister, Mr John Howman. The “Rhodesia Herald” and the “Bulawayo Chronicle” sued Howman after a Gpv- . ernment pamphlet alleged that the two newspapers prae- . tised not press freedom, but licence and were in the hands

of a monopoly dedicated to the destruction of independence. The Judge said the Government contended that the papers deliberately and irresponsibly set out to present an incorrect and unbalanced picture of facts and prospects in Rhodesia to such an extent that censorship was necessary. He commented: “In my view, the evidence goes no way at all to justify these imputations. There was no evidence at all that censorship was necessary to balance the picture.” The editors and their employer, Argus Printing and Publishing Company, sought about SUSI7,OOO damages. The Judge awarded a total of about SUSI2SO. Censors do not work at the Government-franchised radio and television networks which follow the official line, but every newspaper article must bear the censor’s stamp before it can be printed. Mr Smith and his Ministers have no daily press support, but the existing newspapers report Government statements and Ministerial comments. . ' One recent “Rhodesian Herald” editorial concerned riots in the United States. It began by listing various factors blamed as the incubators of hatred among American Negroes—Communist plots, segregated slum areas, lack of skills among the Negro population and many large, fath-

erless families. Then came a white space. The two expunged paragraphs had said Rhodesia should heed the causes of race disorders.

Two days later a complete editorial in the “Rhodesia Herald" was rejected. It referred to Mr Justice Fieldsend’s verdict and suggested that the Information Ministry return to Rhodesians their freedom of expression.

When censors refused to pass this editorial, the newspaper came out with a 12in white space. This irks the Government. It threatened at one stage to take action if the white spaces resulting from censorship were not eliminated and if a declaration in bold print saying “All material in this newspaper has been subjected to Government censorship" was not removed.

The newspapers stood firm, and the Government eventually let the matter drop. Layton Slater, chairman of the South African-based Argus Company, says Rhodesia has blatant and undiluted party political censorship, not in any way related to the security of the state, the maintenance of law and order nor the publication of economic secrets. He holds that the individual has a right to know not such things as the politicians would have him know, but the truth as near as it can be obtained.