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Zimbabwe journalist arrest 'out of sync' with press freedom norms

Zimbabwe has indicted two journalists under cybercrime laws. Media proponents claim it bucks the global trend of supporting and promoting press freedom.

Police in Harare accused two of her journalists of the national newspaper News Dayfrom complying with the country's cyber and data protection law provisions targeting "false data messages." prosecuted based on

Editor Wisdom Mdzungairi and senior his reporter Desmond Chingarande were called in last week for questioning over reports of a legal dispute over a memorial park in Harare with local authorities.

Both suspects denied the charges, and Chingalande said he was surprised by the call from the police.

“They claim that I have made false statements on the Internet, which I consider to be an intimidation tactic. There have been allegations that a portion of the Glen Forest Memorial Park called Glen Forest Memorial Park has been burying people without the approval of the relevant ministries," he said.

Chingalande said he solicited comments from all sides before publishing the article. However, he says he cannot speak further as the story is now part of a police matter.

He is the first journalist to be prosecuted under the new provisions of the Security Act.

The South African Media Institute said such laws were a means of targeting journalists and citizens.

Regional media Mr Tabanimoyo, who heads his watchdog , said: If action is taken, the government will fight back using other laws to retain elements that further target journalists. Statutory provisions on punishment or incitement aimed at journalists are too out of line with the global trend towards promoting and protecting media and journalistic expression.

Zimbabwe is not the only country to pass such laws, Moyo said. Zambia, Eswatini and Tanzania have enacted cybersecurity laws, while Namibia and Lesotho are finalizing similar bills.

Moyo said heavy penalties, including up to 20 years' imprisonment, for those found to have shared false news are against democratic norms.

"This is an aversion to the existence of democracy, is inconsistent with our constitutional provisions for freedom of expression and media freedom, and violates international and regional conventions and tools.

Ruby Magosvongwe, chairman of the Zimbabwe Media Commission, a government-appointed body established to promote and protect journalism, said:

At a meeting with journalists organized by UNESCO and the African media watchdog on Friday, she said the government should be more involved in complaints of attacks on the media.

because the ministries provide the link between us as media agencies and media bodies and their respective governments across the continent and across Africa. We have been beaten, but if the relevant ministries are not involved, it will be a kind of conspiracy," Magosvongwe said.

News Day journalists Mdzungairi and Chingarande are waiting to hear from court officials as to when their case will go to trial.