ZESN - Promoting Democratic Elections in Zimbabwe 12.2 Media Environment The period leading up to the elections was relatively peaceful with no major incidences recorded from proclamation on 30 May to voting on 30 July 2018. However, the post-voting period saw several violations against the media reported. A total of seven violations against media personnel were recorded between 01 and 03 August 201851. Table 10 shows the cases. Table 10: Violations against the Media Media personnel Perpetrator Details Journalists Army Journalists ordered to switch off equipment during riots on 1 August Yeshiel Panchia -European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) Army Panchia told MISA Zimbabwe the soldier whipped him as he tried to render assistance to a man wounded during riots Idah Mhetu - New Zimbabwe Army Whipped by a soldier while covering riots on 1 August Journalists Riot police Journalists temporarily barred from accessing a MDC Alliance Press conference at Bronte Hotel, Harare Daniel Chigundu OpenParlyZw Protesters Hit with a stone on the head during riots Joseph Coterill Financial Times Army, Police Soldier pointed a gun at him during riots and was assaulted by riot police at a MDC Alliance press conference Tinotenda Samkange - Army Detained for 3 hours by the military for taking pictures Newsday during a military "operation" in Kuwadzana, Harare Source: Media Monitors Election coverage report 12.3 Electoral Coverage The coverage of political parties by the media was largely biased towards the incumbent, and unfair to the opposition, smaller political parties, and women. A total of 49 political parties were covered by the media in the period from proclamation to election day. Alliance with 15% coverage. Nkosana Moyo of the Alliance for the Peoples Agenda (APA) had the third highest coverage with 5%. The remaining 20 candidates shared the remaining 23%. Figure 12.1 compares media coverage for different political parties. Figure 7: Media Coverage of Different Political Parties The two main political parties, ZANU-PF and the MDC Alliance, received the bulk of the coverage in the six weeks of the election period; ZANU-PF received 52% of the coverage and the MDC Alliance received 19% of the coverage. The remaining 47 parties appeared in 22% of the coverage. Media Coverage of Presidential Candidates 23% ZANU PF MDC ALLIANCE 5% 57% APA Other The coverage of presidential candidates was heavily biased towards the incumbent, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who received 57% of coverage in all media, followed by Nelson Chamisa of the MDC 15% 50 REPORT ON THE 30 JULY 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS ZESN