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Freedom of the media is still under threat in several southern African countries and journalists are jailed for simply doing their job, Amnesty International said today in the report on World Freedom Day. press.
"Last year we witnessed blatant attempts to muzzle the media and restrict the right to freedom of expression in countries such as Madagascar, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, journalists being harbaded or jailed simply for doing their job, including self-censorship, "said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's regional director for Southern Africa.
"This attack undermines the very essence of free societies, where journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation, harbadment or other reprisals."
In MadagascarFernand Cello, an investigative journalist, spent nearly two years in prison after being convicted of false work-related charges of trumped-up charges for stealing a checkbook. The Fianarantsoa Court of Appeal acquitted him on 2 April 2019.
In MozambiqueAmade Abubacar, a journalist on the radio, is on bail while awaiting trial. After spending nearly four months in pre-trial detention, he was arrested for interviewing a group of displaced people fleeing attacks by militant groups at home in Cabo Delgado. in January. Amade faces trumped up charges of "public incitement" and insults to officials through electronic media, among others. The date of his trial has not yet been fixed.
Last December, investigative journalist Estacio Valoi was abducted by the army and held incommunicado for two days in the district of Mocímboa da Praia, north of Pemba, accused of espionage and deportation. support to militant groups. He was subsequently released without charge, although his equipment remains confiscated by the army for "further investigation".
In June 2018, Pindai Dube, a journalist working for eNCA, an independent TV station based in South Africa, was arrested by police in Pemba and charged with espionage. He was released three days later without charge.
In ZambiaRainbow Newspaper editor-in-chief Derrick Sinjela is currently serving an 18-month jail term after being convicted in December 2018 for contempt of court for publishing an opinion piece written by a militant alleging corruption in the judicial system. Sinjela was unjustly sentenced and imprisoned for criticizing the judiciary following a case that ended.
At the beginning of March, the authorities suspended the broadcasting license of the independent news channel Prime TV for 30 days, citing non-compliance with the terms of its broadcasting license. The station was then reinstalled after almost a month of power failure.
In ZimbabwePolice raided the site of the 263 Chat online news site and threw tear gas into the newsroom after suing journalist Lovejoy Mtongwiza in the adjacent premises of 263 Chat on 4 April. It was after filming the kidnapping of street vendors by the police in the capital, Harare.
"The authorities must stop treating the media with contempt and give journalists the opportunity to do their job safely without having to look over their shoulder," Deprose Muchena said.
"A vibrant and independent press is essential to the enjoyment of human rights. Journalists should not be treated as enemies of the state,
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