ZIMBABWE MEDIA FREEDOM VIOLATIONS AND VICTORIES 3 March 2017 ARRESTED News Day editor Wisdom Mdzungairi and reporter Richard Chidza, charged with insulting or undermining the president following publication of a story pertaining to President Robert Mugabe’s health. 24 March 2017 THREATENED Then Zanu PF political commissar and Minister of Local Government, Saviour Kasukuwere, charged at a reporter from The Herald, accusing the paper of pursuing a factional agenda during a field day at Mount Darwin in Mashonaland Central Province. 20 June 2017 27 July 2017 ARRESTED News Day journalists Obey Manayiti, Shepherd Tozvireva and their driver Raphael Phiri, were assaulted by police on their way to Harare Central Police Station after taking pictures of skirmishes between police and members of the public in Harare’s central business district. 24 September 2017 THREATENED Then Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo, threatened “decisive action to deal a telling blow” against the press and social media for spreading alarm and despondency about the socio-economic and political environment. ARRESTED News Day editor Wisdom Mdzungairi and reporter Everson Mushava, questioned by police in Harare following publication of a story arising from a press conference held by former Zanu PF Mashonaland Central youth leader where he allegedly urged war veterans to push President Robert Mugabe out of office. 27 September 2017 22 June 2017 ASSAULTED Daily News journalists Mugove Tafirenyika and Brighton Goko sustained serious injuries after being assaulted by the police while covering demonstrations in Harare’s central business district. ARRESTED Freelance journalists Garikai Chaunza and Frank Chikowore, arrested by the police while covering the invasion of Lesbury Farm in Manicaland Province. THREATENED Ministers Chinamasa, Mike Bimha and Chris Mushowe threatened to tighten control on social media, claiming it was the cause of shortages of basic commodities and bank notes in Zimbabwe. 29 September 2017