By the BBC's Alastair Leithead

A court in Zimbabwe has set trial dates for two journalists charged under the country's controversial Press and Media Law.

Andrew Meldrum of the British newspaper, The Guardian, and Lloyd Mudiwa of Zimbabwe's Daily News are accused of having abused journalistic privilege.

Their trials will begin on separate dates in June.

They were arrested in connection with a story alleging that supporters of President Mugabe's governing Zanu-PF party had murdered a woman.

Setting a precedent

The story was later found to be unsubstantiated.

If convicted, they face up to two years in jail.

If the trial goes ahead, it will set a precedent for the laws which critics say are aimed at stifling free speech and suppressing dissent against the government.

If found guilty, the two journalists face up to two years in jail

Both Andrew Meldrum and Lloyd Mudiwa were arrested after they published a story about a woman allegedly beheaded by Zanu-PF supporters.

The report provoked a shocked reaction across the country but, when the Daily News investigated the story further, it found there were inaccuracies and apologised.

The two journalists were charged under Zimbabwe Government's draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Other journalists also charged under the act will be waiting to see how the trial is handled, as it is an indicator of how determined the government is to influence the press in Zimbabwe.