The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) today has expressed serious concerns on the security of
journalists in Zimbabwe ahead of the July presidential election.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ),
an IFJ affiliate has documented several cases of attacks against journalists
and press freedom. “We call on authorities in Zimbabwe to protect journalists
and promote press freedom as guaranteed by the country’s Constitution,” said
Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Director. “Journalists must not be sacrificed by
political groups during the upcoming polls”.
These elections are crucial for the
country’s stability and are due to take place on July 31, though the opposition
wants them in August.
On 7 May 2013 Dumisani Muleya, editor of
the Zimbabwe Independent and reporter
Owen Gagare were arrested and charged with publishing falsehoods. They were
released from police custody but rejected the charges against them.
This was followed in June by the brief
detention of journalist Mashudu Netsianda, reporter for the
state-owned Chronicle, and the attack against journalists Herbert Moyo, and
Bernard Mapwanyire.
On June 14, non identified
men abducted Paul Pindani, a freelance journalist. ZUJ said that the freelance
journalist’s attackers were wearing masks when they were committing the
assault.
The IFJ believes that all the motives of
these attacks are political and closely related to the upcoming elections.
“These attacks must be investigated and their perpetrators brought to court”,
Baglo added.
For more information, please
contact IFJ on + 221 33 867 95 86/87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000
journalists in 134 countries