NewsDay journalists barred from First Lady event
20 Jul, 2022
What happened
Journalists from NewsDay and other private media houses were on 19 July 2022 reportedly barred from covering an event where First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was commissioning a clinic at the Marondera Female Open Prison in Mashonaland East province.
According to NewsDay, an official from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), said only State media and officials from the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry were allowed to cover the event.
John Manzongo, who is the First Lady’s acting spokesperson and also her official photographer, reportedly also threatened to have the private media journalists arrested.
MISA's position
Journalists should always be allowed to cover public events without any hindrance and regardless of the publications they work for as this enhances citizens’ right to access to information.
This position is further buttressed by Section 62 (2) of the Constitution which states:
Every person, including the Zimbabwean media, has the right of access to any information held by any person, including the State, in so far as the information is required for the exercise or protection of a right.
About MISA
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.
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Those affected:
Journalists from NewsDay and other private media houses
Journalists from NewsDay and other private media houses
Number affected:
Perpetrators:
John Manzongo, the First Lady’s acting spokesperson
John Manzongo, the First Lady’s acting spokesperson
Types of actors:
Non-state
Non-state
Location:
Marondera ( Mashonaland East province)
Marondera ( Mashonaland East province)