Women journalists' rights advocacy group Gender and Media Connect (GMC) has called on authorities to release jailed news editor Faith Zaba.
Zaba, who is an editor at the privately owned weekly newspaper Zimbabwe Independent, was arrested on Tuesday on charges of undermining the authority of the President.
The charges stem from a satirical article published by her newspaper last week, which questioned Zimbabwe's leadership role within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
She appeared at the Harare Magistrates' court on Wednesday, where she was remanded in custody after her bail application was postponed to Thursday.
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GMC National Director Patience Zirima said Zaba's arrest sends a chilling message to journalists, especially women and threatens press freedom and gender equality in media leadership.
"GMC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Faith Zaba.
"Her arrest is particularly significant given her status as one of the few women editors in the country.
"Women journalists already face unique challenges and risks in their professional work, and the targeting of a prominent female editor for exercising her professional duties represents a serious setback for women's rights and media freedom," Zirima said.
The GMC also called for all charges against Zaba to be dropped and urged the government of Zimbabwe and its agencies to commit to respecting constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
Meanwhile, Media Alliance of Zimbabwe National Coordinator Nigel Nyamutumbu also expressed disappointment at the ongoing disregard for media freedom, warning of a shrinking democratic space.
"This represents a shrinking democratic space. It reflects how press freedom is increasingly being disrespected, which is deeply concerning.
"Even with the repeal of repressive legislation, journalists continue to be arrested and their safety compromised.
"Instead of making progress, we are taking steps backwards in respecting free expression and democracy in Zimbabwe.
"Press freedom is under attack, and we need as much solidarity as possible," Nyamutumbu said.
Zaba's arrest comes soon after another journalist from Alpha Media Holdings, Blessed Mhlanga, was arrested and spent three months in pre-trial detention for interviewing a war veteran, Blessed Geza, who had called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's immediate ouster.
