Niemans Lead Outcry

Kovach has written on behalf of the Nieman Foundation to Zimbabwean President Mugabe, urging him to uphold the principles of free speech that he talked about during Kovach's visit to the African nation in 1993.

"Part of what [the fellows] want to do is to make this treatment of journalists in Zimbabwe known to organizations around the world," Kovach said.

When members of the Nieman Foundation chose Chavunduka as a fellow, they knew that he had been arrested and tortured, Kovach said.

Chavunduka and Chotto are suing members of the government for damages from illegal arrest and torture. They are asking for financial compensation of $50,000 and reimbursement for all legal and medical costs.

The case has received much media attention and international support remains strong. Amnesty International has sent numerous letters to Zimbabwe's government.

The Committee to Protect Journalists--of which Kovach is a board member--may send an observer to the trial. It has been aware of the case from the beginning and has already sent letters of protest--but received no responses.

"It's hard to know how much you're own effort contributes," said Claudia A. McElroy, Africa program coordinator for the journalists' committee. "We're cautiously optimistic that that court hearing will be dropped."