Journalists ordered to move away from polling station
24 Aug, 2023
What happened
Journalists covering the 2023 elections were on 23 August 2023 reportedly ordered to move 300 metres away from a polling station in Makoni South in Manicaland Province on the instruction of the presiding officer.
According to one of the journalists, the police asked them to move away from the polling station on the instruction of the presiding officer despite being accredited by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to cover the elections and that some of them were also wearing their media jackets.
MISA's position
This is a violation of the media’s right to cover an election, as accredited journalists are allowed to enter polling stations and interview the presiding officer for purposes of accurately reporting on the elections.
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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.
Latest media violations
Those affected:
Group of Journalists
Group of Journalists
Number affected:
Perpetrators:
Polling station Presiding Officer.
Polling station Presiding Officer.
Types of actors:
State
State
Location:
Makoni South in Manicaland Province
Makoni South in Manicaland Province