Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Following an alleged arson attack on McDonald Sembereka’s house, civil society groups have accused President Bingu wa Mutharika’s administration of muzzling freedom of expression.

According to a letter from her lawyer, Justice ‘Maseforo Mahase has claimed that a programme aired by the station contained defamatory remarks against her.

Ernest Mhwayo was reportedly pursuing a story about the property, which recently came under scrutiny when commentators asked the president to explain his wealth.

In a two-paragraph statement, the minister of Information and Communication Technology confirmed a recent cabinet decision that effectively ends the government-imposed ban.

Police beat and intimidated four journalists while they were covering a major anti-government demonstration in Luanda.

AP journalists Farai Mugano and Gillian Gotora were briefly detained at the Libyan Embassy in Harare where they had gone to cover the deportation story of Ambassador Taher Elmagrahi.

While part of the criminal charges against Patience Nyangove and editor Nevanji Madanhire were withdrawn, the state is said to be proceeding with the charge of criminal defamation.

Foreign papers risk being banned from Zimbabwe if they fail to register under the terms of the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.