Zimbabwe: CFWIJ Denounces The Online Bullying Of Journalist Sophie Mokoena

Location: Zimbabwe
Date: January 13, 2021

CREDITS: SOWETAN LIVE

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is utterly dismayed by the online bullying of journalist Sophie Mokoena by the ruling party spokesperson. Sophie Mokoena, the foreign editor for SABC, was viciously attacked online by ruling party spokesperson, Tafadzwa Mugwadi. The government spokesperson threatened to release a “bombshell” if SABC does not stop the journalist. Given the gravity and recurrence of vicious online abuse targeting female reporters, CFWIJ calls upon the Zimbabwean Government to take action against the spokesperson.

On January 10, Tafadzwa Mugwadi, Director of Information and Publicity for the ruling party ZANU-PF, wrote a detailed thread onTwitter, accusing Sophie Mokoena of peddling fake news, undermining her work ethics. Tafadzwa Mugwadi claimed that Sophie “has instigated global hatred against Zimbabwe and its citizens” and even orchestrated a conspiracy against Zimbabwe’s national interest by using blackmailing campaigns.

1/11 TO ZANEF

let me be as very frank as possible. If you do not reign in @Sophie_Mokoena who has committed to spitting venomous fake news on Zim & leadership, then forget that this letter will have any consequence on my conscience. The @SABCNews through it's @Sophie_Mokoena pic.twitter.com/lXFDaknFaH

— Cde Tafadzwa Mugwadi (@TafadzwaMugwadi) January 10, 2021

Sophie Mokoena remains unfazed by threats and bullying. She expressed in a tweet that she is committed only to her job. Given Sophie’s coverage of sensitive, controversial topics, CFWIJ has justified concerns that the vicious attacks on Sophie will continue. These concerns are aggravated by the hostility incited by certain state officials.

Clearly you don't know me. When I do my work I do my work. No one can intimidate me. We are waiting for the Bombshell. When are dropping it the Zimbabweans and South Africans want to know the real reasons why ANC delegation went to Zimbabwe as you have. The story is huge. https://t.co/cK8sdBULYv

— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) January 10, 2021

This is not Sophie’s first experience with attacks initiated by someone affiliated with the ruling party. In September, The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) openly denounced the intimidation practices of senior government officials that target journalists, including Sophie, through social media platforms. SANEF highlighted numerous tweets that could contribute to the escalating environment for the press in Zimbabwe. Posts were written in particular by George Charamba, the Press Secretary in the Office of the President of Zimbabwe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information of Zimbabwe, and Nick Mangwana, Secretary for Information in Zimbabwe. Nick Mangwana dismissed the allegations, claiming that expecting journalists to be accountable for their coverage is not an act of intimidation. Since vicious online attacks on women journalists, in particular Sophie Mokoena, continue, SANEF issued a statement in which it calls upon the authorities to step in and discipline their representatives who use online harassment as a tool to intimidate reporters. CFWIJ fully supports this claim and demands proper protection of impartial journalism in Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, intimidation and harassment of journalists have become commonplace. The situation has intensified during the pandemic. Zimbabwe is ranked 126th, out of 180, on the Press Freedom Index, according to the data presented by Reporters Without Borders. A prominent journalist, Nkosana Dlamini, stated that as journalists in Zimbabwe expose human rights violations, they become victims of state oppression.

Another challenge is closely linked to financial insecurity. Journalists in Zimbabwe are earning deplorably low wages for their work. Freelance journalist Lucy Yasini, while speaking to the Anadolu Agency, stated that conditions for journalists have yet to improve after the 2017 coup d'état. The quality of life for journalists is precarious, as they are considered enemies for their critical coverage of government policies. For many of them, it has become increasingly difficult to earn a living wage. CFWIJ finds this situation entirely unacceptable. We strongly believe that journalists should be paid enough to live a healthy and secure life.

The CFWIJ is deeply concerned by the deterioration of working conditions for journalists in Zimbabwe. While being a journalist in the country was never necessarily easy, the negative trends we observed exemplify the lack of determination among legislators to improve the situation. We reiterate that journalists should be able to report freely and critique governmental bodies without the fear of retribution. We demand that the ruling party, ZANU-PF, takes appropriate action to end the intimidation and harassment of the media.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.