Home 9 Media freedom monitoring 9 Police assault journalists

Police assault journalists

MISA Zimbabwe Media Alert
3 Aug, 2016
Members of the riot police on 3 August 2016 assaulted freelance journalists Lawrence Chimunhu, Christopher Mahove and Tendai Musiya as they covered demonstrations against the Zimbabwe government’s  plans to introduce bond notes  in the wake of the deteriorating socio-economic environment. Chimunhu  sustained bruises on his right elbow following the assault by the police. The police […]

Members of the riot police on 3 August 2016 assaulted freelance journalists Lawrence Chimunhu, Christopher Mahove and Tendai Musiya as they covered demonstrations against the Zimbabwe government’s  plans to introduce bond notes  in the wake of the deteriorating socio-economic environment.

Chimunhu  sustained bruises on his right elbow following the assault by the police. The police reportedly continued assaulting the journalists despite being shown accreditation cards issued by the Zimbabwe Media Commission.

The police also confiscated Mahove’s recorder.

 MISA-Zimbabwe position

The safety and security of journalists is now at great risk in Zimbabwe as evidenced by the increasing number of cases involving the assault of journalists while conducting their lawful professional  duties.

MISA-Zimbabwe notes with great concern that the assault of the three journalists comes barely a week after the assault of Mugove Tafirenyika, a journalist with the Daily News, by Zanu PF supporters while covering a meeting at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

It is indeed worrying that the police as custodians of the law should themselves be on the forefront of these wanton unlawful assaults of  journalists whose work and right to cover and report events as they unfold is protected by the Constitution.

MISA-Zimbabwe reiterates its calls for these cases to be thoroughly investigated and bring the perpetrators to book.

 End

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

Share this

Related news

ACHPR raises concern over mass surveillance

ACHPR raises concern over mass surveillance

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has raised concern about the prevalence of mass surveillance and unlawful targeted communication surveillance that does not conform with international human rights law and standards. The ACHPR said this...

Media development in Zimbabwe: Imperative need to connect the dots

Media development in Zimbabwe: Imperative need to connect the dots

By Dr Tabani Moyo Media development in Zimbabwe requires a holistic approach, alive to the gains accrued thus far and complex enough to connect the scattered dots through an outward-looking strategy responsive to the evolving needs of the media development ecosystem....

Violence against women serious breach of human rights

Violence against women serious breach of human rights

Violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide which is being worsened by targeting and attacking women including female journalists who are vocal online. As the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence...