charged under section 33 (2)(b) of the Criminal Code.49 Propaganda and Media Bias There was sustained and continued propaganda by state media, specifically the Herald, Chronicles, Manica Post, Sunday Mail and the ZBC television and radio channels. This propaganda also manifested itself in the purportedly independent radio stations which are known to have links to the government in one way or the another. Propaganda not only distorts truth; it creates bias and instils hate and fear. In the run-up to the elections, Veritas brought a court application seeking a declarator on the independence of the state media in terms of section 61(4) of the Constitution. This matter ended up being argued in 2019, and ruling is currently pending. Press and Media Freedom The government required foreign journalists to obtain permits 60 days before travelling to the country in order to report from the country. Foreign reporters paid more for permits and accreditation than did their local counterparts, and these accreditation laws were used to monitor international media journalists’ entry into the country. ZEC charged journalists covering the 30 July election an additional fee for further accreditation to cover election-related events. While private media was allowed to operate, local journalists reported practicing selfcensorship. The Ministry of Media, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services exercised control over state-run media. Privately-owned newspapers continued to operate freely, although journalists reported practicing selfcensorship. Commendably, the ZRP and journalist unions regularly met in an effort to promote a safe working environment. Opening the Airwaves The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) did not make any pronounced progress in licencing private players in broadcast media. However, during the year BAZ granted three broadcasting licenses, including a content distribution license to the governmentcontrolled Zimbabwe Newspapers (Private) Limited, and video on demand licenses (dealing with internet video content) to Econet Wireless (operating Kwese TV) and TelOne. The BAZ awarded independent media house Amalgamated Media Holdings (AMH) an online television and radio license on 7 September. BAZ is also working on the digitalisation project which will see more television and radio channels being added. This is hoped to facilitate licencing of independent broadcasters. The government through BAZ has been refusing to licence community radio stations. Violence, Harassment and Arrest of Journalists On 4 September the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) condemned what it stated was the systematic “censorship, banning, or expulsion of journalists from public events.” It stated that the trend was against the letter and spirit of media freedoms as espoused in the country’s Constitution. There were reported incidences of attacks on journalists, as well as a case in which journalists’ equipment was confiscated by the police. Communication and Internet Freedom Freedom of Expression There were no official restrictions on individuals criticising the government or on the discussion of matters of general public interest. Authorities, however, remained sensitive to criticism in general, particularly when directed at the President, and used the criminal law to repress and suppress. Several persons accused of insulting the president and his office were The Interception of Communications Act (ICA) along with the Postal and Telecommunications (Subscriber Registration) Regulations, 2014 (SI 95 of 2014) facilitated eavesdropping and call interception. Law enforcement officers may apply to the responsible minister for a warrant authorising law enforcement to intercept communications, including calls, emails, and 49. See the Chapter on civil and political rights for a listing of the cases in which section was invoked. 55 STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018