CPJ calls for release of New York Times correspondent

CPJ calls for release of New York Times correspondent
By Kingsley Kaswende
Saturday April 05, 2008 [04:00]

THE Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the immediate release of a New York Times correspondent Barry Bearak who was arrested by Zimbabwean police on Thursday. Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed that police had arrested two foreign journalists believed to be unaccredited at a hotel in Harare.

Bearak, a New York Times correspondent based in Johannesburg, was arrested together with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) correspondent Adrienne Arsenault at 18:00 hours on Thursday evening but Arsenault was released after an hour of questioning and verification that she was accredited.

Zimbabwean authorities warned last week that they would deal severely with journalists who were caught operating illegally.

Journalists have to be licensed in order to operate in Zimbabwe.
Foreign journalists are required to pay US $3,000 about K11.5 million for an annual licence or US $1,500 per entry into the country.

"I can only confirm that we have arrested two foreign journalists at York Lodge," Bvudzijena said.

"They are being investigated for practising without accreditation. They were picked up early this evening and taken to police custody."

In a statement, CPJ executive director Joel Simon called on Zimbabwean authorities to stop intimidating journalists.

"It is imperative that all journalists, foreign and domestic, be allowed to freely cover the important political situation unfolding in Zimbabwe," he said.
Bearak is being held at Harare Central Police station pending court appearance.