SECTOR 1 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear Although there are new faces in government, the legal system remains the same. People, including journalists, have been harassed for expressing themselves and citizens who tweet (or even retweet) messages that are critical of government have been arrested. After November 2017, there was an element of openness, and people were willing to criticise and engage government. However, since the general internet shutdown in 2019, people have been feeling restricted in the manner in which they express themselves. Even when the internet is operating, there are ‘brigades’ of people who will ‘feed and terrorise your comments on social media.’ There can therefore be consequences and a backlash to what is said, both in the private and public spheres. The new regime has been more subtle in dealing with dissent. There has been a drop, for instance, in the number of journalists arrested; and although there are reports of harassment, this is not as direct or blatant. “The regime is doing things more subtly than before.” It is difficult to get people to respond to critical questions in rural areas. People are sensitive about how the information might be used. Respondents will say, for example, “you can quote me, but don’t use my name.” State sanction, along with criminal law, is a reality. Women, in particular, are fearful of expressing themselves – especially in the online space – for fear of backlash and internet trolls. Zimbabwe remains a “deeply patriarchal state”. A majority of women will often first seek consent from their husbands before they participate in discussions. There have been instances of journalists being arrested, but in some cases, the circumstances are somewhat controversial. One journalist who alleged that police had ignored a petition from citizens later admitted that he had personally placed the petition in a dustbin in order to make it seem as if the police themselves had thrown it away. But there have been other cases where restrictions have been more ominous. A comedian, for example, was attacked for mocking President Mnangagwa. The case has still not been resolved. 9 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2020