Zimbabwe reporter measures 'troubling'

The BBC's Joseph Winter fled Zimbabwe earlier this year

The United States has criticised new restrictions announced by Zimbabwe on foreign journalists as troubling.

Reporters from abroad wishing to work in Zimbabwe will now have to seek government approval one month in advance, where previously they could apply for permission on arrival.

A US State Department spokesman said the new rules accused the Zimbabwean Government of attacking the independent media and trying to limit reporting of events.

State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said: "We find this new development particularly troubling in view of the presidential election slated to occur in the first quarter of next year, 2002."

The BBC's Joseph Winter and another foreign reporter had to leave in February after officials accusing them of biased reporting against the government.

Media war

Earlier this year the printing presses of the Daily News, the country's leading independent newspaper, were blown up.

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo accuses opposition groups, independent and foreign journalists of working together to fuel violence.

The government's new conditions came a day after it announced the price of fuel was increasing by 70%.