A media rights group has condemned the continued discrimination against Zimbabwe’s private media after six journalists were on Tuesday barred from covering an event at the State House in Harare.
The journalists – Shepherd Tozvireva, Blessed Mhlanga, Chengeto Chidi, Katty Nyoni, Zibusiso Ncube and Atricia Gondo – were barred by security officers from covering the appointment by President Emmerson Mnangagwa a tribunal to inquire into the removal from office of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission spokesperson John Makamure.
Permanent secretary for the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana had earlier shared the details of the event on his personal Twitter page and invited the media to cover the swearing in ceremony at State House.
However, according to the Zimbabwe chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe), the journalists were told by a security officer that only those from state-run media were welcome at the event.
“MISA Zimbabwe condemns this continuation of discrimination against private media. All media practitioners, whether from state or private media, have a constitutional right to seek, receive and impart information as part of their media freedom,” the rights group said.
It noted that there was “no lawful, reasonable or justifiable basis for the discrimination of journalists from private media and the infringement to the realisation of their constitutional rights.”
“MISA Zimbabwe calls on all stakeholders within government, including the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to undertake key and practical steps towards addressing this recurring media violation.”
Observers say attacks on private media journalists are expected to rise as Zimbabwe heads for general elections in July 2023.
JN/APA