Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Home 9 Media Violation 9 NewsDay journalists barred from First Lady event

NewsDay journalists barred from First Lady event

20 Jul, 2022

What happened

Journalists from NewsDay and other private media houses were on 19 July 2022 reportedly barred from covering an event where First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was commissioning a clinic at the Marondera Female Open Prison in Mashonaland East province.

According to NewsDay, an official from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), said only State media and officials from the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry were allowed to cover the event.

John Manzongo, who is the First Lady’s acting spokesperson and also her official photographer, reportedly also threatened to have the private media journalists arrested.

 

MISA's position

Journalists should always be allowed to cover public events without any hindrance and regardless of the publications they work for as this enhances citizens’ right to access to information.

This position is further buttressed by Section 62 (2) of the Constitution which states:

Every person, including the Zimbabwean media, has the right of access to any information held by any person, including the State, in so far as the information is required for the exercise or protection of a right.

Share this

SOS journalists hotline

If you are injured, detained or arrested ín the line of duty, call our 24/7 SOS journalist hotline on 0784 437 338 to access legal and/or medical assistance.
Don’t forget to have the number saved in your phone for emergencies!
Find out more about the hotline here.

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:
Journalists from NewsDay and other private media houses
Number affected:
Perpetrators:
John Manzongo, the First Lady’s acting spokesperson
Types of actors:
Non-state
Location:
Marondera ( Mashonaland East province)