The denunciation of the non-governmental organization was made in a statement, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated on Friday. The human rights organization documented widespread intimidation, persecution and detention of journalists in countries throughout the region. The authorities continued to target and "brutally repress" those who dare to denounce allegations of corruption and human rights violations, says AI. "Speaking out against or scrutinizing government policies, actions or inaction, or sharing information publicly deemed damaging to the government, has led to imprisonment, arbitrary detention or even death," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, quoted in the statement. AI also documented the increase in intentional disruption of internet access and the enactment of stringent cybersecurity laws designed to silence the media and control the dissemination of information. Throughout East and Southern Africa, authorities have used national security laws, including anti-terrorism and cybersecurity legislation, to undermine the right to freedom of expression, punish journalists and suppress media freedom. Amnesty gives the example of what happened in Madagascar, with the Cybercrime Code and the Communication Code forcing journalists to self-censor for fear of reprisals. "Broad and vaguely defined provisions in laws, such as 'attacks on state security', 'defamation', 'spreading false news' and 'inciting hatred', have been used to intimidate, harass and target journalists," the organization adds. In Mozambique, "where journalists routinely face intimidation, harassment, death threats, violence and even assassination", editor João Fernando Chamusse was killed at his home in Maputo in December 2023. João Fernando Chamusse was editor of the newspaper Ponto por Ponto and a commentator on TV Sucesso, which has been the target of increasing intimidation, and the executive director of this television station, Gabriel Júnior, recently received death threats. In Zimbabwe, in February, the authorities banned two journalists from covering government events in the Midlands province. Also in Zimbabwe, in May, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, known as the Patriotic Act, came into force, threatening media freedom as it criminalizes the intentional insult to the sovereignty and national interests of Zimbabwe. Under this legislation, journalists who participate in a meeting where there is "reason to believe" that its purpose is to "consider or plan armed intervention" can be charged, even if they only participate with the aim of reporting. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the authorities continued "their relentless assault on the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the press", against the backdrop of the December 2023 general elections, inter-communal violence in certain regions and the armed escalation in the eastern provinces of the country. In 2023, the Kinshasa authorities arbitrarily closed down a dozen media outlets and programs, on charges ranging from "spreading false rumors" to "inciting revolt against the established authorities" and "defamation". In September 2023, journalist Stanis Bujakera was arrested and charged with "spreading false rumors" and "forgery", following the publication by Jeune Afrique of an article implicating the security services in the assassination of politician Chérubin Okende. Last March, Bujakera was sentenced to six months in prison, despite the authorities failing to demonstrate any wrongdoing or liability in the case. The journalist was eventually released from prison because he had been in detention for more than six months and at least three other journalists are currently in detention on trumped-up charges across the country. "Amnesty International reiterates its call on the authorities in East and Southern Africa to release journalists who are unlawfully detained, to stop targeting the media for simply doing their job, and to end the abusive use of the justice system to silence journalists and critics and suppress media freedom," said Tigere Chagutah. Read Also: Amnistia pede fim de envio de armas para Hamas e para Israel (Portuguese version)