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Journalists Harassed, Blocked on Zimbabwe Election Trail
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LanguageEnglish
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV PF Zimbabwe Media Elections
HEADLINE: Journalists Harassed, Blocked on Zimbabwe Election Trail
TEASER: Elections globally can bring pressures for media but analysts say they are seeing an increase in violations in Zimbabwe
PUBLISHED AT: 08/02/2023 AT 8:20AM
BYLINE: Columbus Mavhunga
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: HARARE, ZIMBABWE
VIDEOGRAPHERs: Blessing Chigwenhembe, Amos Wangwa
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Jessica Jerreat
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: JJ , DLJ, DJ (ok)
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, see courtesies
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV_X RADIO_X
TRT: 3:15
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: For VOA Press Freedom. Questions/review Jessica Jerreat and Columbus Mavhunga.))
((INTRO)) (Accounts of journalists being harassed, attacked or denied access while covering Zimbabwe’s general elections are worrying media analysts. From Harare, Zimbabwe, Columbus Mavhunga has the story for VOA.)
((NARRATOR))
Zimbabwe police say they are investigating an attack on journalists including Annahstacia Ndlovu. The freelancer, who reports for outlets including Voice of America, says she and other reporters were beaten and harassed in July by supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party in the city of Bulawayo.
((Annahstacia Ndlovu, Journalist ((Female/English: 25 seconds)) ((Mandatory cc: WhatsApp))
“I feel the authorities in Zimbabwe must deal with such thugs. We are working toward having our harmonized elections, on the 23rd of August.”
((NARRATOR))
Perfect Hlongwane, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, says his organization worked with police and political parties to try to improve media relations ahead of the elections.
But the union has still documented journalists being harassed or attacked by party supporters or denied access to campaign rallies.
((Perfect Hlongwane, Zimbabwe Union of Journalists))
“And these, for us, are violations that we thought were not going to be part of this election. Remember, as a country, we want to be able to deliver an election that is credible. And a free media that operates without any challenges will be able to be also a contributor towards making sure that we have an election that is credible.”
((NARRATOR))
Elections are often a flashpoint for media violations. The Media Institute of Southern Africa says it is monitoring conditions in several countries across Africa that have votes scheduled in the next 12 months.
In Zimbabwe, the institute is seeing more violations than during the last election, says Tabani Moyo.
((Tabani Moyo, Media Institute of Southern Africa))
“So, the number has almost doubled from the last election. /// It's not looking good where there is talk of an election. It means the media’s reportage will be challenged big-time, and they will be literally reporting in the line of fire.”
((NARRATOR))
A new law is also troubling media advocates. Last month, President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law the Patriotic Bill, which criminalizes what the text calls “injuring the sovereignty and national interest” of the country.
[[For radio: Muthoki Mumo works for the Committee to Protect Journalists in Nairobi, Kenya]]
((Muthoki Mumo, Committee to Protect Journalists)) ((Mandatory CG: VOA Nairobi))
“For us it entrenches what has already been a restrictive legislative environment for Zimbabwean journalists. And we are worried that the law will be weaponized during the elections to restrict and to retaliate against journalists and their work.”
((NARRATOR))
Critics of the law say it could curb free expression during the elections and that it may be unconstitutional. But its supporters say the law will protect the country from citizens calling for sanctions.
((Columbus Mavhunga, for VOA News, Harare, Zimbabwe))
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