Chitongo spent four months at Buffalo Ranch Prison in Chiredzi after being convicted by the courts for publishing a newspaper in the sugar cane town without a licence.
After his release from prison, Chitongo started a citizen journalist WhatsApp group with Chiredzi residents. Chitongo has also been recently selected to attend a freedom of expression summit in Brussels later in the year.
The summit will be hosted by the African Freedom of Expression Exchange, and Chitongo joins a group of 200 victimised journalists across the globe in a month long event.
The summit will run from 23 September to 30 October, where a group of journalists will share experiences from different countries.
“The invitation is a clear message that there are some people who believe that information is a human right that needs to be recognised just like any other laws of the land.
“This gives encouragement to all defenders of this noble cause and also sends a clear message that Zimbabwe is lagging behind in the implementation of the law,†Chitongo said.
He said soon after the summit he will establish a community radio station for the sugar cane growing town as a measure of bringing an alternative voice for the residents.
“I have been running a citizen journalist WhatsApp group that proved to be a source of news for Chiredzi community.
“Soon after the summit plans are already underway to have our own radio station in Chiredzi to ensure that people from this area tell their own story to the world as well as bring a different voice to the town,†he said.
Post published in: Featured