Zimbabwean journalists now an endangered species

Harare - Speaking during the World Press Freedom Day commemorations, Saki said the situation was even more worrying as lawyers were also having difficulty accessing clients such as journalists who were arrested while conducting their professional duties.

“Journalists are becoming an endangered species in Zimbabwe while the unlawful arrests, abductions and kidnapping of journalists are becoming a culture which in our view is very worrying,” he said.

He also lamented the unethical conduct of some journalists notwithstanding the selective application of the law when it comes to the arrests and detention of journalists. Saki, however, said difficult and trying times demand individuals who remain focused in what they want to achieve. He added that there was nothing treasonous in seeking regime change; and that regime change was simply about coming up with a democratic constitution, free and fair elections and accountable governance.

The meeting, convened by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) - which comprises MISA-Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Union of Journalists and the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe - also resolved to petition the government over the deteriorating media and freedom of expression environment. This comes in the wake of the continued harassment, unlawful arrests, detention and confiscation of equipment belonging to accredited journalists by state agents.

Journalists noted with concern the silence on the part of the government and the Ministry of Information and Publicity, in particular, and the state media in view of these wanton acts of impunity against journalists, some of whom are duly accredited as required under the repressive and restrictive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

MAZ was also tasked with coming up with awards that would be presented to outstanding journalists on World Press Freedom Day to give the event more significance.

Published courtesy of The Zimbabwean