The Austrian International Press Institute (IPI), which tracks media freedom, said that African journalists are increasingly harassed while reporting news during COVID-19. 

They reported a total of 104 violations worldwide, including 22 in Africa. These include verbal and physical attacks, like in the case of the NTV journalist, and make up the majority of violations.

The French watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated 'Zimbabwe is currently Africa's biggest press freedom violator in connection with Coronavirus crisis, with no fewer than five arrests of journalists' over the past two weeks. 

Part of the issue in Zimbabwe, according to RSF, stems from police not giving journalists accurate information and clear instructions so they can go out and do their work.