Zimbabwe's parliament votes to criminalize any form of criticism of the government. The law is expected to be signed into law shortly by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The opposition says it is a means to restrict freedom of expression and press. The ruling Zanu-PF party has been repeatedly accused of electoral manipulation in the past. The country has been mired in a deep economic crisis since the 2008 global financial crisis and the recession of 2008-2009. The government says the law is intended to protect the country's sovereignty from foreign interference.