The Repression of Freedom of Speech in Zimbabwe

#FreeMartha is a social media campaign aimed at helping Martha O'Donovan, 25, from spending 20 years in prison. O'Donovan was arrested for posting to social media about the current president and his work for the government. She is quoted as tweeting, "We are being led by a selfish & sick man."

According to a New York Times article, her arrest has, "raised fears that the Zimbabwean government is stepping up efforts to control social media ahead of national elections in 2018."

The current President is campaigning  once again voted into office. In an attempt to do so, he, and his cabinet, have made efforts to keep the public quiet and in support of his presidency. According to Comrade Fatso, a well known comic and political leader, O'Donovan is said to be a "scape doat, because she is white and American." This could mean that the government is attempting to make an example out of her to the rest of the public in order to ensure further support for the current president. 

O'Donovan was arrested on Friday and she was charged with subverting the government, which means that she was "insulting" the president. Martha had to give up her passport, and she was told she could not leave the country. If sentenced  martha could spend 20 years in prison. 

Her arrest was a part of a social media "crackdown," which has been used to help procure President Mugabe's seat in the coming elections. The president has lead the country for 37 years, and in recent news memebers of his own cabinet hope that he will runt he office from the "Grave." The president is 94 years old and according to the Times, his heath is becoming "frail."

The New York Times reported, "The crackdown has helped keep the nation’s streets quiet this year. But as Mr. Mugabe prepares to run for another term, Ms. O’Donovan’s arrest indicates that the authorities are unlikely to tolerate even the slightest criticism of the aging leader."

This is a clear representation of a repression of free speech in Zimbabwe. And O'Donovan is not the only person to experience the crackdown in zimbabwe. The repression of free speech is something that many Americans take for granted. Free Speech has become something that we truly value and use in order to express our dislike with current political climates throughout the country. Although free speech is a western ideal, it may also be important to help procure the rights of free speech in forgone countries, if not for the wellness of the people, but for the betterment of the world.