Malawi police detain, charge journalist Dorica Mtenje over story she did not write
Lusaka, Zambia, February 22, 2023—Malawian authorities should immediately drop defamation and cyber-related charges against Maravi Post journalist Dorica Mtenje and allow her to report free from legal harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On February 8, police in the capital Lilongwe summoned Mtenje via phone to appear the following day for questioning over…
Mozambique border police detain, beat radio journalist Rosário Cardoso
On January 15, 2023, five Mozambique border police officers detained and beat journalist Rosário Cardoso, according to media reports, statements by the National Forum of Community Radios and the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa, and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ by phone. Cardoso left the community…
Police bar Zimbabwean journalists from covering opposition activists at court
Lusaka, January 23, 2023—Zimbabwean authorities should immediately investigate the recent barring of journalists from covering a court appearance of an opposition politician and ensure that members of the press are not blocked from doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Around noon on January 16, in Budiriro, southwest of the capital city…
Supporters of Zambia’s ruling party raid 2 radio stations for hosting opposition party leader
On December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023, supporters of Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) raided two radio stations and disrupted broadcasts by Chilufya Tayali, president of the opposition Economic and Equity Party, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to CPJ. On December 31, a group of about 10 people…
Zimbabwean opposition party members threaten, obstruct journalists at political meeting
On December 18, 2022, political activists and security personnel affiliated with the Movement for Democratic Change, a Zimbabwean opposition party, threatened a group of journalists covering the party’s meeting in Harare, the capital, according to news reports, a report by the Zimbabwean chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA),…
Four Zimbabwean journalists beaten, forced to delete footage by ruling party supporters
Lusaka, August 25, 2022 – Zimbabwean authorities should investigate the brutal assault of four journalists working for private media outlets, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure that party supporters do not attack members of the press covering political rallies, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The reporters assaulted are: Chelsea Mashayaombe, a reporter…
Two journalists in Mozambique attacked by police while covering officer’s funeral
New York, August 15, 2022—Mozambican authorities must investigate and hold to account police officers who assaulted two broadcast reporters and ensure that journalists are able to report freely and without fear, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On August 4, reporters for privately owned broadcaster Tua Televisão, Alexandre Eusébio and Ivaldo Novela, were assaulted…
Journalists barred from covering Zimbabwean first lady
On July 19, 2022, a spokesperson for Zimbabwean First Lady Auxullia Mnangagwa barred four journalists from covering an event featuring Mnangagwa, according to news reports, a statement by the Zimbabwean chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, and two of the journalists, who spoke with CPJ. The event marked the opening of a health…
Zimbabwean journalist Anyway Yotamu charged after assault by police
Lusaka, July 8, 2022 – Zimbabwean authorities should drop all charges against freelance journalist Anyway Yotamu, investigate his assault by police, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At about 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, police officers assaulted Yotamu while he was filming an altercation between taxi drivers…
Zimbabwean journalist threatened with assault after corruption reporting
Lusaka, June 23, 2022 – Zimbabwean police must immediately and thoroughly investigate threats made to journalist Simbarashe Sithole in retaliation for his corruption reporting and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On June 4, Zimbabwean Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe sent a text message to…