CPJ concerned by Zimbabwe’s sweeping surveillance law
New York, August 8, 2007—A sweeping surveillance law ratified Friday in Zimbabwe will target “imperialist-sponsored journalists with hidden agendas” the country’s information minister told CPJ. Sikhanyiso Ndlovu described the law as intending “to protect the president, a minister, or any citizen from harm.” The Interception of Communications Act will allow authorities to intercept all phone, Internet,…
CPJ outraged by police beating of award-winning media lawyer in Zimbabwe
New York, May 10, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called for a full and transparent investigation into the police beating on Tuesday of prominent Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, a 2005 recipient of CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award, and three other attorneys.
CPJ urges Zimbabwe police commissioner to investigate Edward Chikomba’s murder
Dear Commissioner Chihuri: We are writing to request that you oversee a transparent and thorough investigation into the recent murder of Edward Chikomba, a veteran cameraman formerly with the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). We are concerned by several reports alleging the killing was linked to his work.
ZIMBABWE: British journalist fined under media accreditation law
APRIL 2, 2007 Posted: April 6, 2007 Alexander John Perry, Time HARASSED, LEGAL ACTION A court in the southern town of Gwanda sentenced Perry, the Africa bureau chief of the European edition of the U.S. newsmagazine Time, to a fine of 100 Zimbabwean dollars (US$0.41) on charges of practicing journalism without accreditation and abusing journalistic…
Zimbabwean reporter jailed, beaten and paper threatened over coverage
New York, April 2, 2007— A reporter of an independent Zimbabwean weekly was jailed, beaten, and charged by police in the capital Harare in connection with coverage of the recent unrest in Zimbabwe, according to local journalists. Gift Phiri of the London-based The Zimbabwean was charged with practicing journalism without accreditation under Zimbabwe’s draconian Access…
In Zimbabwe, state broadcast journalists face criminal charges
New York, March 27, 2007—Two journalists with Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster have been criminally charged in connection with footage of diamond trafficking in the eastern Manicaland province, according to Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and news reports. Andrew Neshamba, Manicaland bureau chief for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), was arrested on February 9 and charged…