Top human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa yesterday challenged Harare Magistrate Gloria Mutandwa against banning the use of cellphones by journalists during court proceedings.
Mutandwa had given an order for all phones in the gallery to be switched off as she felt they might be used to take pictures in the court room, but Mtetwa dashed to the defence of media freedom, arguing that journalists should not be disturbed from doing their work.
She questioned why the press who needs to write and make updates during the proceedings should not be allowed to use their phones.
“Your worship the media is in the gallery and they want to update on what is going on. What is the court’s reason to give that order if they are not interfering with the court’s proceedings,” challenged Mtetwa.
