Key Zimbabwe media trial resumes

Andrew Meldrum says he has a strong case

A Zimbabwean judge has dismissed an attempt to get controversial charges dropped against an American journalist.

The case is seen as a test of a tough new media law passed days after President Robert Mugabe's contested re-election in March.

The accused must go on his defence

Godfrey Macheyo
Magistrate

Andrew Meldrum, who writes for Britain's Guardian newspaper, had hoped that his case, brought under the new law, would be thrown out of court on Friday.

But the judge ruled that the state had established a case and so the trial should resume.

Mr Meldrum faces two years in jail if convicted of "publishing falsehoods" and "abuse of journalistic privileges".

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Journalists in Zimbabwe say that the new law is part of a government campaign to muzzle the private media.

"The state has established a prima facie case and the accused must go on his defence," said Magistrate Godfrey Macheyo.

Mugabe passed the new media law days after his re-election

His trial was adjourned more than three weeks ago after the prosecution concluded its case.

Mr Meldrum's lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, asked for all charges to be dropped, saying that the evidence was not sufficient to find him guilty.

The issue at stake is whether an article published in the Guardian can fall under the jurisdiction of Zimbabwean law or whether the internet version available in Zimbabwe is sufficient to secure a conviction.

Apology

The case surrounds a report written by Mr Meldrum which was based on an article originally published by Zimbabwe's main independent newspaper, The Daily News.

The story alleged that supporters of President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF Party had beheaded a woman in a rural area for supporting the opposition.

The Daily News later withdrew the story as being unsubstantiated and issued an apology.

Two Zimbabwean journalists from the paper were also arrested over the article.

Police boycott

Mr Meldrum's lawyer argued that he could not held responsible if the facts were wrong, because the police refused to comment when he tried to check with them.

Most state officials refuse to speak to journalists from the private and foreign media.

Thirteen other journalists who have been charged under the controversial Zimbabwean media law are anxiously awaiting the result of this test case.

Mr Meldrum remains positive, saying he has a very strong case and he believes he has not broken any laws.