Numerous cases of censorship and harassment illustrate the operational risks faced by Zimbabwean reporters. Investigative journalists face regular police summons, arbitrary arrests, and often prolonged detention while covering sensitive topics such as corruption or human rights abuses. These actions rarely result in convictions but effectively serve to harass and drain the resources of struggling private media houses. The chilling effect extends beyond individual arrests, fostering a culture of self-censorship necessary for survival. This pattern of sustained pressure places Zimbabwe consistently among the lower tiers in global press freedom indices, highlighting a situation far more restrictive than that found in many of its regional neighbours.