More antiMugabe from anti-Mugabe sources :

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/news/article_1300116.php/Zimbabw
es_Mugabe_warns_Roman_Catholic_bishops

http://voanews.com/english/2007-05-03-voa37.cfm

Extract from Carl Bildt’s speech:

: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/3211/a/80971

“ The Role of Media in a Democratic Society
The principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for 
human rights and fundamental freedoms are interlinked with one another but 
are also closely related to poverty. Poverty is not only about lack of material 
resources. It is also about lack of power, opportunities, choice and security.
Democracy and poverty reduction can never be guaranteed by politicians 
alone, whether they are elected or self-nominated. In the end, it is a question 
of people's opportunities to influence their situation, claim their rights and 
being able to voice their concerns. But to exercise these rights presupposes 
that citizens have access to information that has not been filtered, censored 
or distorted. How can I claim my rights if I don't know what they are? How 
can I voice my concerns if I risk being prosecuted for doing so?
These are a few examples of why the role of media is crucial to the 
development of a country. The quality of the information an individual is able 
to access will, by necessity, greatly influence his or her ability to participate 
in the political process. In other words, journalists have a responsibility 
towards their fellow citizens to provide correct and analytical information.
Lively and independent media are essential components of the complex system 
of checks and balances that characterises democratic societies. No one, and 
in particular politicians and civil servants, should be above the law and exempt 
of scrutiny. Corruption is both a cause and an effect of weak governance. 
Corruption breeds inefficiency and undermines confidence in the institutions of 
a society. An Englishman, Lord Acton, once made the now famous statement 
that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". This still holds 
true. The quality of decisions will inevitably suffer if a free debate is not 
allowed.
It upsets us when we read about politicians who are forced to resign because 
of corruption. But at the same time we should also be grateful that such 
information is published and reaches the public. In 1974 the so-called 
Watergate scandal eventually forced American president Richard Nixon to 
resign. This, as you know, was mainly the result of efforts by two journalists 
at the Washington Post. What if they had lived in a country where they had 
not been allowed to pursue that story? What if, during their investigative 
work, they had been told by their editor-in-chief that they should stop their 
work immediately because the president is above criticism?
But the role of media in a modern society is not only limited to reporting and 
analysing specific events. Journalists are also opinion builders in their own 
right. By tracing and critically analysing new trends and tendencies in society, 
a free media provides decision makers with invaluable information, thereby 
ensuring, such matters as the quality of legislation. And when it comes to an 
issue such as the spread of HIV/AIDS, the ability of the press to disseminate 
information freely and to discuss the topic without having to consider what 
politicians think is or is not suitable can, in the end, be a matter of saving 
lives.
We also have to see the role of media in the context of the common 
challenges we face in an increasingly globalised world. Global challenges 
emphasise the need to find common solutions. An issue such as the 
consequences of global warming is one example; the spread of international 
crime and terrorism is another. To meet these challenges, access to correct 
information is crucial, for the general public as well as for decision makers.
Promoting free media in other countries is therefore also in our own self -
interest. If journalists in other countries are silenced we will ultimately pay a 
price ourselves. Let me give you an example. We are all aware of the immense 
challenge that humankind faces in the form of ongoing climate change. Let's 
say that information about an environmental disaster in a country far away is 
not allowed to reach the public. Eventually, it might very well be that people 
in other parts of the world suffer the consequences of information being 
withheld. Pollution knows no borders. The problem in certain parts of 
Southeast Asia of the so-called "haze" is a sad illustration of this fact.
Given what I have just said it will come as no surprise to you that Sweden is 
committed to the development of the media sector in Vietnam. Over the past 
ten years, Sweden has been the biggest donor in support of efforts to 
promote democracy in your country through the development of more 
professional, open, independent and self-reliant media.
Sweden supports interventions in the area of the media that seek to empower 
people living in poverty. Fundamental points of departure are the right to 
freedom of expression and freedom of speech, the right to exercise cultural 
and creative activities, the right to access to information, the right to 
participation and the right to knowledge. Sweden and Vietnam have ratified 
international human rights conventions and we both have an obligation to live 
up to the commitments made as signatories.
Freedom of expression includes the right to seek, receive, express and 
disseminate opinions, ideas and information without interference, and to do so 
either orally or in writing through any media. Freedom of expression is a 
precondition for media pluralism, which in turn is the foundation for strong and 
functioning media. This facilitates a broad spectrum of information, ideas and 
opinions in society.
Access to information and the free exchange of opinions are crucial in enabling 
citizens to take a stance, reach well-founded decisions and make free 
choices. In my country, the tradition goes back almost two and a half 
centuries - the Freedom of the Press Act was adopted in the year 1766.
One fundamental cornerstone in Sweden is the principle of public access to 
official documents. As you can understand this principle is very important for 
journalists in their reporting and investigative work, especially when they are 
scrutinising the exercise of power by the Government and other public 
agencies, but it is also a cornerstone of an open society and an effective tool 
for monitoring and preventing corruption. In fact, anyone in Sweden, whether 
they are a Swede or a foreigner, a journalist or a non-journalist, has the right 
to access documents produced or received by a government agency or body. 
Even my own incoming and outgoing email at the Ministry is basically in the 
public domain! Linked to the fundamental law I just mentioned are codes of 
ethics that the free media have developed and agreed upon by themselves, 
without interference from the State. There are also public entities to which 
citizens can turn when they feel offended or abused by media.
The legal and factual situation in Vietnam today is different. However, our two 
countries have agreed that support for the media sector is one of the 
priorities of Swedish development cooperation here in Vietnam. And it is of 
course crucial for development towards democratic governance in Vietnam.
We have witnessed many positive changes over the years, as access to 
modern technology has provided media with new audiences and thereby also 
new advertising markets and increased revenues. This has led to improved 
professionalism and journalism in parts of the media. We have, over the course 
of the Swedish-Vietnamese media project, seen how radio media have 
developed from the simple reading of duly approved texts to live broadcasting 
with interviews with local people. By supporting the media sector we hope 
that Swedish development cooperation will contribute to reinforcing change 
processes that are already underway in Vietnamese society.
We believe that support for the training of journalists will improve the 
professional skills of reporters and thereby help them do a better job. Over the 
past ten years, the focus of this cooperation has been on training of reporters 
and media managers by running short courses and providing in-house training. 
The project also pays due attention to the policy dialogue, discussions on the 
code of ethics and the role of media in a democratic society. Improved and 
modernised journalism training will contribute significantly to the development 
of more professional and independent media in this country. The creation of 
well-functioning, high-standard journalism faculties is vital for any country 
aiming to strengthen the role of the media in a democratic society. A revised 
curriculum for journalism training, modern teaching methods and better 
information-seeking capacity are likely to stimulate more independent, dynamic 
and creative-thinking students.
Why are independent, dynamic and creative-thinking students so crucial for 
Vietnam's future?
Firstly, we are convinced that professional journalism training of a high 
standard is a prerequisite for the development of more professional and 
independent media. You, as future journalists, will assist Vietnam on its own 
path in this important task.
Secondly, as society develops, there will be a greater demand by the public 
for the right to information and the right to have their voices heard. Without 
information there is no accountability. Information is power, and the more 
people who possess it, the more power that is devolved. Access to 
information is essential in any modern society. Without it, democratic 
structures cannot operate as they should, and individuals are left unable to 
enforce their rights - perhaps not even with an awareness of what rights they 
have and when they have been infringed. Corruption cases will go undetected. 
The primary vehicle for taking information to the public is independent and free 
media.
Thirdly, because the public and the media have been engaged in a debate 
about political reform and the roles and responsibility of the Party and the 
National Assembly, there are greater opportunities, but also more challenges 
and pressure on the media, to engage in the debate on the role of the media 
in a democratic society.
Fourthly, economic and political integration is another reason for the greater 
need for your future services, as is Vietnam's move towards industrialisation 
and modernisation.
All in all, there are more and more reasons for professional journalism training. 
Well-trained, and dedicated, journalists play a fundamental role for the 
economic and political development in any society.

There are also challenges for you in your future work. Being agents of change 
is not an easy task. You are the ones who will challenge the decision makers 
of the future, assess the performance of your leaders and raise critical issues 
for debate. You will play a key role in ensuring the Vietnamese people's right 
to accurate and timely information. I am convinced that you will enter the 
labour market well-prepared and with confidence. I wish you all good health 
and every success in your studies and in your future work.
Let me finish by saying that I am particularly happy to see so many female 
students here today. As journalists your work will be crucial in strengthening 
the role of women in Vietnamese society and politics.
Thank you once again for inviting me here! “

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