WAN Appeals To Mugabe To Stop Meldrum Trial

The Paris-based World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and World Editors' Forum have appealed to President Mugabe to end the trial of the Harare-based journalist Andrew Meldrum who works for the British newspaper The Guardian. WAN represents 18 000 newspapers globally and defends and promotes press freedom.

The prosecution of Mr Meldrum is widely seen as a test case for the new restrictive media law. If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison or a fine of about US$1 800 (Z$99 000).