MISA Zimbabwe’s Mid-term State of the Media report for the first half of 2020, takes a look at the media landscape and operating environment with regards to freedom of expression, access to information, digital rights and media freedom.
News
Police ransack ZimLive editor’s home
Police officers on 30 July 2020 raided and ransacked the home of ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo reportedly looking for information on subversive materials linked to the 31 July 2020 protests.
Court grants order in favour of MISA against Econet search warrant
The High Court has granted an order in favour of MISA Zimbabwe interdicting Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and other cited respondents from implementing a police warrant seeking information on the mobile phone operator’s transactions.
Journalist Chin’ono denied bail
Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna on 24 July 2020 denied bail for journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who is facing charges of incitement to public violence and remanded him in custody to 7 August 2020.
Journalist Chin’ono spends another night in custody pending bail ruling
The bail hearing for journalist Hopewell Chin’ono continued in Harare on 23 July 2020 with the State calling its second witness who is one of the arresting police officers before adjourning to tomorrow.
Journalist Chin’ono remanded in custody after court appearance
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on 22 July 2020 appeared before Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna who remanded him in custody to tomorrow for the continuation of his bail hearing.
Police officer threatens to shoot Masvingo journalist
A police officer on 21 July 2020 reportedly threatened to shoot TellZim journalist Upenyu Chaota in Zimbabwe’s southern border town of Masvingo.
Police search home of arrested journalist
Police in Harare on 21 July 2020 searched the home of arrested journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for documents and other articles he used in allegedly committing the offence of inciting public violence for which he is being charged with.
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono arrested
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was on 20 July 2020 arrested around 11:00hrs at his home in Harare and taken to Harare Central Police Station.
Journalist treated for injuries following assault by police
Freelance journalist Tapiwa Zivira was on 16 July 2020 reportedly assaulted by the police and members of the Harare Municipal Police while filming an incident involving a truck driver and municipal police officers along Lytton Road in Harare.