Malawi police seize equipment from journalists amid ‘fake’ Facebook page investigation
On February 13, officers from Malawi’s Digital Forensics and Cybercrime Investigations department seized cell phones and laptops from 14 Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) journalists, according to news reports, the Malawi chapter of regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa, South Africa-based rights group Campaign for Free Expression, and four of the affected journalists, who spoke to CPJ. The…
Botswana politicians dox 2 journalists by posting their personal data online
In separate incidents in November and December 2023, two politicians in Botswana posted to social media the personal phone numbers of journalists Kabo Ramasia and Kealoboga Dihutso after the reporters sought to interview them. The unwanted publication of personal information online—known as doxxing—is an increasingly common form of digital harassment of the press. On November…
Football fans attack, injure Malawi reporter Smart Chalika
Lusaka, September 5, 2023—The Football Association of Malawi should investigate the August 25 assault on Kasupe Radio reporter Smart Chalika by supporters of the Silver Strikers Football Club and penalize the club to send a clear message that attacks against journalists are not condoned, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Around 2:30 p.m….
Zimbabwean ruling party supporters assault 3 freelance reporters
Lusaka, July 21, 2023—Zimbabwean authorities should thoroughly investigate the assaults of freelance reporters Annahstacia Ndlovu, Pamenus Tuso, and Lungelo Ndlovu in Bulawayo and hold their attackers to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Monday, July 17, in Bulawayo’s central business district, a group of people wearing regalia of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic…
Mozambican journalist Arlindo Chissale faces lesser charge after terrorism accusation
At 4 a.m. on October 29, Arlindo Chissale, editor of privately owned outlet Pinnacle News, which specializes in reporting on the insurgency in Cabo Delgado province, was detained by police in Balama, west of the provincial capital of Pemba, and held in police cells for six days, according to media reports, a statement by the Mozambican chapter…
Zimbabwean journalists assaulted, harassed, and blocked from covering events
Lusaka, October 13, 2022—Zimbabwean authorities and ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) should investigate the assaults and harassment of journalists covering events of public interest in the past week, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “The increasing cases of violence against journalists in Zimbabwe is becoming a serious source of concern and must…
Zimbabwean authorities charge journalist Hope Chizuzu under cybercrime law
Lusaka, October 6, 2022—Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop charges against sports freelancer journalist Hope Chizuzu, return his electronic devices, and allow him to carry out his work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Around midmorning on September 29, police detectives went to Chizuzu’s office in the central business district of the capital Harare,…
Zambian officials threaten journalist Wellington Chanda over reporting
At least four officials with Zambia’s ruling political party, United Party for National Development (UPND), threatened Wellington Chanda, a reporter for the privately owned City TV broadcaster in the northeastern town of Kasama, during two separate phone calls on August 7 and 8, 2022, over a City TV report, according to news reports, a statement…
Two Zimbabwean journalists denied entry to political rally, one attacked by security agent
Lusaka, September 21, 2022—Zimbabwean authorities should hold accountable the security agent who attacked journalist Ruvimbo Muchenje at a rally for opposition political party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and the CCC should ensure journalists are not unduly denied access to its public events or harassed for doing their job, the Committee to Protect Journalists said…