Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
4.2 Threats to Journalists
Alert journalists have constantly exposed irregular and unlawful
practices. Perpetrators have, on several counts, threatened journalists
with violence and confiscation or destruction of equipment. On December
18, activists and security personnel for an opposition political party, the
Movement for Democratic Change, led by Douglas Mwonzora, threatened
journalists covering the party congress in Harare. Journalists from Heart
and Soul, the Open Parly ZW, and VOA were instructed to stop filming
and threatened with beatings and equipment seizure if they continued
filming an intra-party violence incident. On December 22, journalists
were barred from taking pictures of police violently dispersing a
Gukurahundi commemoration protest in the second capital - Bulawayo,
on Unity Day. Journalists were threatened with arrest if they continued
taking pictures.
ZPP recommends the adoption of the following interventions to protect
journalists from threats and intimidation in doing their work:
4.2.1 The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services,
Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Media Commission, among
other stakeholders, continuously spread the message of peace and nonviolence and guarantee a conducive environment for journalists to
undertake their professional duties without hindrance.
4.2.2
Political party supporters, security details and leaders should
respect the role of journalists in promoting the exercise and enjoyment of
fundamental rights by an informed citizenry.
December 2022
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
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