THE United States on Thursday slammed new restrictions on foreign journalists imposed this week by the government of Zimbabwe, saying the rule was “particularly troubling.” State department representative Philip Reeker said it appeared the government of Zimbabwe ?wants very much to limit media reporting on what goes on inside Zimbabwe,” On Wednesday Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s government enacted new controls on foreign reporters, requiring them to apply for accreditation a month in advance of travelling to the country. Previously, foreign journalists were allowed to apply for credentials on their arrival and Reeker said the new regulation was “clearly aimed at limiting the access of the international media to Zimbabwe.” Last week, the France-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Zimbabwe was becoming the most hostile country in the southern African region for journalists to work in. – AFP
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