ZIMBABWE / PROMOTING FREE EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
An official at the Qatar Embassy in Mbabane temporarily detained two senior Swazi Times journalists on Friday 4 October 2018 in what can only be described as a blatant violation of media freedom rights.
This year’s International Day for Universal Access to Information marked annually on 28 September comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s public institutions are still far from fulfilling their roles as holders of information that should be released upon request and in the public interest.
Publishers, editors and journalists on 24 September 2018 engaged senior Zanu PF officials in the Midlands town of Kwekwe following cases of intimidation and threats issued against local journalists by some members of the governing party.
Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede in his opposing papers in the case involving local journalist Violet Gonda denies refusing her a Zimbabwean passport.
MISA Zimbabwe condemns the arrest of Salim Dawood a Zambian photojournalist and local photo correspondent with international news agency AFP as unlawful and unwarranted.
Journalists, media practitioners and representatives of media organisations have implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to prioritise implementation of the long overdue media reforms following his inauguration as the new Zimbabwean leader.
We, Zimbabwean journalists, editors and media practitioners, having gathered at a post-2018 elections review conference organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) with the support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), hereby resolve and implore:
MISA Zimbabwe condemns the assault of Swaziland journalist Andile Nsibande by police officers and prison wardens on 30 August 2018 in what is becoming an increasingly worrying development involving state security agents.
Chief Justice Malaba this afternoon dismissed MISA Zimbabwe’s urgent chamber application to live stream the election challenge hearing scheduled for 22 August 2018, after hearing it in his chambers.
MISA Zimbabwe stands in defence and solidarity with media practitioners in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia in the wake of increasing onslaughts against media freedoms and the right to access to information in the three countries.