Meldrum is being tried in Magistrate's Court which will mean that he can only be fined, not imprisoned.
This downplays the trial internationally.
Nothing would get international attention like a news reporter imprisoned, but risk of a fine is pretty uninteresting.
Note that the foreign diplomatic corps does not seem to be maintaining a watch on this trial.
But the trial will have its exemplary effect on all reporters, foreign and domestic.
It will cause them to censor themselves.
The real targets will be the domestic Daily News, Zimbabwe Independent, Zimbabwe Standard and Financial Post.