Reporters Without Borders has called for the reinstatement of three journalists who were sacked by Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper for working with US radio station Voice of America.
The three were dismissed at the beginning of February. The Media and Information Commission said collaboration with VoA ran contrary to “national interests and security”.
RWB said the dismissals were symptomatic of the state of press freedom, “The authorities are trying to cut all links with the outside world by preventing a free exchange of news,” it said. “The Herald is, after all, the mouthpiece of the ruling party so the authorities are punishing their most fervent supporters.”
The Herald’s managing editor, news editor and a reporter are facing criminal proceedings for defamation after accusing a leading member of the ruling Zanu-PF party of fraud.
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