MISA Zimbabwe has received two more reports of journalists injured while covering events that took place in Harare on Wednesday, 1 August 2018 in the afternoon.
A soldier assaulted Idah Mhetu, a freelance journalist while she covered events unfolding at the corner of Robert Mugabe & Rotten Row. Mhetu says the soldier whipped her with electrical cables. She suffered minor injuries as a result.
Another freelance journalist, Daniel Chigundu, was stoned on the forehead when a crowd that had gathered outside the Rainbow Towers Hotel turned rowdy and started hurling missiles. The crowd was trying to force its way onto the Hotel grounds where the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had set up its elections command centre. Chigundu was standing behind police officers who were guarding the gate when he was stoned.
MISA Zimbabwe Position
MISA Zimbabwe condemns any forms of attacks on journalists. We reiterate our position that the right to media freedom of journalists should be upheld at all times given the essential role played by the media in the dissemination and sharing of information, views and opinions. MISA Zimbabwe urges members of the media community and the public to report any media violations on the MISA Hotline is 0784 437 338. MISA Zimbabwe staff is also on standby to assist media practitioners injured or arrested in the line of duty.
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