Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Zambian authorities block critical news site, arrest reporters
Actions taken by Zambian authorities against three journalists are the latest in a series of escalating tactics against the “Zambian Watchdog”. Clayson Hamasaka, Thomas Zyambo and Wilson Pondamali have been detained out of suspicion that they are affiliated with the website.
Zambian reporter charged with sedition, suspected of affiliation with critical website
Thomas Zyambo, a journalist suspected of having links to the Zambian Watchdog, has been charged with sedition. The Zambian Watchdog is seen as critical of the ruling party, the Patriotic Front, and has recently come under verbal attacks from party sympathisers.
Zambian journalists arrested, likely to be charged with defaming president
Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zgambo are likely to be charged with defaming Zambian president Michael Sata. The pair has been in separate police confinement since t9 July 2013 after a raid on their houses. They are suspected of running or being part of the Zambian Watchdog, an online website that largely provides news services on Zambia.
Journalist arrested while taking photographs of voter registration
Leopold Munhende was arrested while taking photographs of the voter registration process at the Registrar General’s Offices in Masvingo on 9 July 2013.
Zimbabwean journalists detained at political party headquarters
On 21 June 2013, Wendy Muperi and Wonai Masvingise, journalists with the privately-owned newspapers, Daily News and NewsDay were briefly detained by ZANU-PF security personnel while covering a demonstration at the political party’s headquarters in Harare.
Ruling party officials storm radio station’s general meeting in Zambia
On 18 June 2013, supporters of Zambia’s ruling Patriotic Front party disrupted the annual general meeting of Mkushi FM and demanded to be elected to the board of the radio station.
Political party supporters punch Zambian journalist, seize camera
Suspected supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) have attacked TV journalist Njenje Chivu, and also seized his camera. The journalist says that he was then threatened with unspecified action if he went on to broadcast photos he had taken.
Journalist in Zimbabwe battling for life after being kidnapped, assaulted
Freelance journalist, Paul Pindani, is reportedly battling for life after he was abducted from his home and severely assaulted in Mashonaland West’s provincial capital of Chinhoyi on Friday, 14 June 2013.