Attacks on the Press 2002: Africa Analysis
Although the Kenya-based East African Standard, one of Africa’s oldest continuously published newspapers, marked its 100th anniversary in November, journalism remains a difficult profession on the continent, with adverse government policies and multifaceted economic woes still undermining the full development of African media.
Attacks on the Press 2002: United States
The U.S. government took aggressive measures in 2002 to shield some of its activities from press scrutiny. These steps not only reduced access for U.S. reporters but had a global ripple effect, with autocratic leaders citing U.S. government actions to justify repressive policies.
Attacks on the Press 2002: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean journalists continue to toil under extremely tough conditions, with government lawsuits and physical attacks by backers of the ruling ZANU-PF still regular occurrences. On August 28, unknown assailants blew up the newsroom of Voice of the People, which was founded by former employees of the official Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The private news outlet has…
CPJ mourns death of award-winning journalist
New York, November 13, 2002-The board of directors and staff of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are saddened by the death of Zimbabwean journalist Mark Chavunduka. Chavunduka, 37, died on November 11 at West End Hospital in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, according to his relatives. The cause of death is unknown, but friends and family…
Prosecution of journalist postponedAmended bill could restrict press further
New York, October 31, 2002—Judicial authorities in Zimbabwe have agreed to postpone the prosecution of Lloyd Mudiwa, a reporter with the independent Daily News, after the government acknowledged that the section of the country’s harsh new press law under which Mudiwa is charged violates the constitution. However, rather than dropping the case against Mudiwa, the…
Offices of news production company are destroyed
New York, August 29, 2002—Unknown persons bombed the offices of the Voice of the People (VOP) Communications Trust yesterday morning. The private news production company, which has been producing shows since June 2000, was housed in a suburb of the capital city, Harare. The explosion is the fourth such attack on the independent media in…