Statement by NYDT on World Press Freedom Day

The National Youth Development Trust (NYDT) joins the world in commemorating World Press Freedom under theme: Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in all Media. The theme clearly underlines the importance of guaranteed freedom of expression, particularly in the media. It also acknowledges the fact that a number of people have been victimised for expressing themselves freely in many forms.

In Zimbabwe, this theme comes at a critical time when the country is preparing for national elections. History is awash with evidence to the fact that election periods in Zimbabwe have often been characterised by serious censoring, victimisation of journalists, closure of some media houses and numerous other attempts to suppress the free flow of information to Zimbabwean citizens.

Mobile Voter Registration A Welcome Move

The move by the Registrar General’s office to introduce a thirty (30) day mobile voter registration service is most welcome especially to young people. This move is expected to go a long way in addressing some of the key challenges that affect young people with regards to voter registration. Chief amongst such challenges has been the proximity of the nearest registration centre. This has been noted as a hindrance to voter registration particularly given the fact that a number of young people are unemployed, have no source of income and therefore can barely afford transport fares to commute to the nearest registration centre. By introducing registration centres within their communities, the Registrar General has made the centres more accessible to the youths and the general citizenry. This move, together with the suspension of fines on lost identity documents contribute immensely to young people’s ability to participate in democratic processes.