Source: Media violations by military increase’ – DailyNews Live
Pauline Hurungudo 20 February 2019
HARARE – Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe has recorded
an increase in media violations carried out by the military as compared to
the past years when the police were behind most of abuses of media
practitioners.
According to the media watchdog, while the police have abridged the past
gruesome persecution of journalists, improving relations, a significant
number of journalists assisted by Misa last year were assaulted by members
of the military.
In 2018, Misa recorded 32 violations against journalists and five
incidents against media houses.
In a report titled “Misa Annual report 2018” published yesterday, Misa
said liaison with Zimbabwe Republic Police and representatives saw a
decrease in the number of cases where police officers engaged in the
violations of media freedoms in the country.
“No local journalist was arrested or assaulted (by the police) during the
2018 election period and more-so, during the election-related
demonstrations that rocked Harare on August 1, 2018,” the report read.
However, an upsurge was seen in the number of cases recorded involving the
violations of both local and foreign journalists by the military during
the violent demonstrations in Harare on August 1, 2018.
In a Media Alert report dated August 3, 2018 Misa recorded several cases
of injuries incurred during assault.
This comes after soldiers last year denied accusations of brutally killing
six people while injuring scores of people using guns, sjambocks, buttons,
stones and other unknown objects.
At the same time, soldiers were recorded to have censored media
practitioners demanding them to delete and switch off their cameras while
covering the unfolding events.
“We will maintain an alliance-based approach in advocacy for media freedom
and protection of citizens’ rights to free expression and access to
information,” Misa said stating the objectives that will set their
advocacy space for 2019.
“Government and its security arms, as well as political parties should
prioritise the safety of journalists.
“We will demand and push for an end to impunity on crimes and violence
against journalists and engage the military in view of the media
violations that occurred in Harare on the 1st of August 2018,” the report
read.
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