Below is the statement by the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators (ZOCC) on threats against the online publication, The NewsHawks:
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Statement on the chilling threats against Newshawks media house.
The Zimbabwe Online Content Creators (ZOCC), the collective voice of the nation’s online media community, stands resolute in its defence of press freedom and access to information, cornerstones enshrined in our constitution and international treaties ratified by Zimbabwe.
We vehemently condemn the reported intimidation and subtle threats against Newshawks, a media house forced to halt vital publications.
This silencing tactic sets a chilling precedent, threatening the very essence of a free and informed society.
The Zimbabwean constitution in section 61 states. “(2) Every person is entitled to freedom of the media, which freedom includes protection of the confidentiality of journalists’ sources of information.”
While the Freedom of Information Act (FIOA)states” Every Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons and the Zimbabwean media, has the right of access to any information held by the State or by any institution or agency of government at every level, in so far as the information is required in the interests of public accountability.”
Such moves are not only threats to journalism but tantamount to mutilation of the constitution and its constitutionally enshrined provisions.
NewsHawks’ decision to freeze the military story to prioritize the safety and well-being of its reporters, including the removal of journalists from the story, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by media practitioners in upholding transparency and accountability.
ZOCC echoes NewsHawks’ commitment to truth-seeking and accountability journalism, recognizing the inherent risks and sacrifices that journalists make to serve the public interest.
The pursuit of truth, even in the face of adversity and danger, remains a cornerstone of responsible journalism.
The media, often dubbed the “fourth estate,” plays a critical role in holding power accountable and empowering citizens.
To deny them the freedom to pursue stories of public interest, “without fear or favour,” is to strangle democracy at its core.
The Zimbabwe Online Content Creators condemn any form of intimidation, censorship, or harassment aimed at silencing the media and obstructing the flow of information vital to the democratic process.
We call for the protection of media sources and the preservation of press freedom as essential pillars of a vibrant and democratic society.
We commend NewsHawks for its dedication to investigative reporting and commitment to holding power to account for the betterment of our country.
We stand united in solidarity with all journalists and media organizations striving to uphold transparency, freedom of information, and the public’s right to know.
#MediaFreedom #ProtectJournalists The silencing of Newshawks paints a bleak picture of press freedom in Zimbabwe, one that tarnishes our global image.
It sends a message that open dialogue and critical voices are unwelcome, fostering suspicion and mistrust.
We demand an immediate end to all forms of intimidation and interference against journalists and media houses.
They must be allowed to execute their duties freely, unearthing truths and holding power to account, without fear of reprisal.
The ZOCC urges all stakeholders, from citizens to authorities, to join hands in upholding the sanctity of press freedom.
A vibrant, independent media serves as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, one where voices are heard, stories are shared, and truth prevails.
Let us not allow the flames of free expression to be extinguished in Zimbabwe. Let us stand together for a media landscape that thrives on transparency, accountability, and the unfettered pursuit of truth.
Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard, our stories are told, and our democracy flourishes as we continue to defend the constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Zim Online Content Creators Condemn Harassment Of The NewsHawks | Full Statement

Online news publication, The NewsHawks, said they will not publish follow-up stories on the issue of three Zimbabwean army generals forced out due to corruption issues following subtle threats and direct pressure from state security agents.
On 12 February, <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/top-army-generals-fired-over-housing-corruption/">The NewsHawks reported</a> that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) had sacked three senior military commanders at the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) over a multi-million-dollar hard currency housing corruption scandal.
Citing high-level sources, The NewsHawks reported that the ZNA commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe recently dismissed three commanders namely ZNA chief-of-staff (quartermaster) Major-General Hlanganani Dube, Major-General Paul Chima (ZDF inspector-general) and Major-General John Mupande, the director-general of policy, public relations and international affairs at the ministry of Defence.
In <a href="https://x.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1759787067842703619?s=20">an editorial on Tuesday</a>, 20 February, the publication said since last week, the military has held several meetings to deal with the exclusive coverage of the story which culminated in the issuing of a statement, saying the matter is currently under investigation. It reads in part:
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After that, The NewsHawks was informed by top Defence House impeccable sources the issue has raised serious concerns and alerts in terms of the gravity of the substance and sourcing. Security is investigating the journalists who covered the story: the bottom line is the military wants to know the sources of the story.
As a result, The NewsHawks journalists have now been put under surveillance, especially News Editor Owen Gagare, in a move which has a chilling effect on media freedom and journalism practice.
In order to protect the safety and wellbeing of reporters, The NewsHawks has now removed its reporters from the story with immediate effect and will not carry follow-ups, including the ones already processed for this week.
The stories will be pulled out of the latest edition coming out later today indefinitely.
Usually, The NewsHawks would dig in and persist undeterred, but given the clear and present danger to the safety of its reporters, the story has to be frozen. So it has been put on ice indefinitely.
As we say in journalism, in the final analysis, there is no story worth dying for!
However, courage in journalism is the refusal to be silenced. We are not being silenced, but forced to make some strategic decisions or choices to secure the safety of our reporters.
Self-censorship and silence are not an option in investigative journalism, yet necessary if only to ensure journalists’ safety and well-being, at least for the time being.
This has happened before as pointed out at the top and we handled the situation like this.
Previously, a NewsHawks senior journalist Bernard Mpofu was forced out of his stories and his home by state security agents who hunted him down to hound him out of the security beat of coverage.
He had written several stories, but what particularly invited problems for NewsHawks and him was President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s helicopter crash exclusive story in August 2021.
Mpofu was run out of town – literally – over the story and permanently left his home, amid contemplation to leave the country.
However, NewsHawks was forced to drop the story to secure his safety. Unfortunately, his sources were tracked down and removed from their posts amid internal punishment…
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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