| Level | Item |
| Ref No | OBS/1/1/4/1/10 |
| Title | Mugabe Matabeleland Atrocities Report |
| Date | 15 April 1984-11 August 1985 |
| Extent | 2 files |
| Creator Name | The Observer Limited; Sir Derek Mitchell |
| Description | Press cuttings, correspondence and reports relating to The Observer editor, Donald Trelford's reporting of atrocities committed against civilians in Matabeleland by the Zimbabwe National Army and Tiny Rowland's objection and subsequent actions against Trelford.
File 1 includes cuttings from The Observer, Guardian, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Times and Sunday Telegraph regarding the article and subsequent dispute; Independent Directors statement of support for Trelford; reassessment of The Observers finances and Rowlands's dispute with the Independent Directors over the reduction the Directors fees and a copy of 'The Economist' with section entitled 'A Survey of Zimbabwe'. Also includes a memo from Kenneth Harris regarding leaks to the press of details of discussions at an Observer Board meeting held on 30 April 1984.
File 2 includes copies of correspondence and transcripts of conversations between Tiny Rowland and Donald Trelford; correspondence between Derek Mitchell and Desmond Balmer, Father of the NUJ Chapel regarding the NUJ position on the dispute, and correspondence between Derek Mitchell and Independent Directors regarding the outcome of the dispute. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Format | Typescript |
| Printed document |
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