Zimbabwe’s critical NewsDay paper hot off the press as 1st independent newspaper in 7 years

Zimbabwe sees 1st independent newspaper in 7 years

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe’s first independent daily newspaper to be launched in seven years says it will provide a counterpoint to state media that is fiercely loyal to longtime ruler President Robert Mugabe.

NewsDay said in its promotional issue Friday that it will not fall prey to “hate, divisiveness, abhorrent propaganda and personality cults” — tactics it believes the state-run media uses. The paper will start selling on Monday.

A new media licensing authority formed by the coalition government has also approved two other independent dailies that will start publishing in coming weeks.

The last independent daily paper was banned by Mugabe’s government in 2003, allegedly for bias toward opposition groups now in the fragile power-sharing government.