This is an update on the urgent chamber application filed by MISA Zimbabwe with the Constitutional Court on 18 August 2018 seeking permission to live stream the election challenge hearing scheduled for 22 August 2018.
Media, elections and governance
MISA files urgent application to livestream hearing of election challenge
MISA Zimbabwe on 18 August 2018 filed an urgent chamber application at the Constitutional Court seeking the court’s permission for the live broadcasting and streaming of the election challenge to be heard next Wednesday.
Journalist detained by the army
NewsDay journalist Tinotenda Samukange was detained for close to three hours by soldiers in Harare’s high-density suburb of Kuwandzana on the 3rd of August 2018.
Riot police temporarily block journalists access to MDC Alliance press conference
Local and foreign media were temporarily barred access to an MDC Alliance press conference called by the party leader Nelson Chamisa at the Bronte Hotel, Harare.
Increase in journalists assaulted during Harare riots
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.
Foreign journalist assaulted twice in same week
In a tweet sent out this afternoon, Joseph Cotterill (@jsphctrl) a Southern Africa correspondent at the Financial Times spoke about his encounters with Zimbabwean security forces.
Matrix of offline and online events around the protests
This election has also been significant because of the increasing role social media and other ICT tools have played in election-related matters. This short write up details three online events caused directly by actions in the “offline” world.
Soldier assaults foreign journalist
Yeshiel Panchia a journalist with the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) was on 2 August 2018 assaulted by a soldier following deployment of the army to quell protests in Harare.
Media freedom violations amidst political demonstrations
The army on 1 August 2018 ordered journalists covering riotous demonstrations over delays in the release of presidential election results in Harare to switch off their video recording equipment and cameras.
Court challenge on the constitution of the Media Monitoring Committee
MISA Zimbabwe on 20 July 2018 filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court in Harare challenging the constitution of the ZEC-led Media Monitoring Committee.