Updated

An independent Zimbabwean media rights group says journalists face increased intimidation, threats and assaults in their work as elections scheduled next year draw near.

A researcher for the Africa Media Barometer, Chris Mhike, said Friday that Zimbabwean journalists are "treading on dangerous grounds" by writing about President Robert Mugabe, the police, army and other individuals in power. Mhike was speaking at the launch of the barometer, a survey to monitor progress on media freedom which is sponsored by the Media Institute of Southern Africa.

Mhike said the majority of people in Zimbabwe still live in fear which is made worse by draconian laws that allow journalists and citizens to be arrested for the "flimsiest of reasons."