Reclaiming the streets of Caracas through art
From murals to urban interventions, community art projects to writing contests, CCSCity450 is challenging residents of Caracas to reclaim the streets – an act of creative resistance in a time where crime, hunger, and free expression violations dominate daily life in the Venezuelan capital.
Rafiki: Ban lifted on Kenyan film that challenges stereotypes at home and abroad
The High Court of Kenya has temporarily lifted the ban on Rafiki. Judge Wilfrida Okwany delivered the ruling on 21 September 2018, stating “I am not convinced that Kenya is such a weak society that its moral foundation will be shaken by seeing such a film.”
DRC’s descent into chaos, Ahmed Abba’s release, and Sudan’s fear of ‘indecency’: December in Africa
DRC’s descent into chaos, Ahmed Abba’s release and Sudan’s fear of ‘indecency’ are among the top stories in Africa at the end of 2017.
Silencing ‘secrets’ in Guinea, information vs HIV, #FreeMartha and goodbye Mugabe: November in Africa
Major strides towards fighting impunity in The Gambia, US journalist Martha O’Donovan charged with subversion in Zimbabwe as Mugabe resigns, Guinea’s clampdown on free expression, and more in our November roundup of free expression issues in Africa.
Peace through pluralism, a ‘Minister of WhatsApp,’ and Tanzania’s big panic: October in Africa
Alice Nderitu, Zimbabwe’s clampdown on social media, newspaper shutdowns in Tanzania, Cameroon journalists released and more in our October round-up of news from Africa.
Facebook fears, parliamentary brawls & SDGs: September in Africa
September saw protests and internet disruptions in Togo and Cameroon, an initiative to increase gender diversity in Nigeria’s tech and media community, and an access to information report that could help countries work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Tragedy in Togo, Kenya’s contested elections & Nigeria’s “hall of shame”
The region’s free expression news round-up includes lethal protests in Togo and Kenya, calls for release of an RFI correspondent in Cameroon, a creative campaign that is holding Nigeria’s presidency accountable for freedom of information, and more.
Broken hearts and stifled words: July in Africa
Suna Venter’s broken heart, silencing Sudan’s FIFA suspension, the unsolved case of Burundi’s Jean Bigirimana, policing police in Zimbabwe and more from Somalia, Senegal, Nigeria and South Sudan.
Africa at a glance: Elections, mining for trouble and a threat to the state
Silenced politicians in Kenya and Rwanda, Tanzanian taboos and Nigerian “threats to the state”. This and much more from South Sudan, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire in our June round-up of free expression news.
Laughing at power in Zimbabwe
Comrade Fatso, the co-founder of the Magamba Network, reflects on how satire, hip hop and youth activism are paving the way for democracy in Zimbabwe.
Turning the tide for LGBTQI+ rights in Kenya
LGBTQI+ people can face up to 14 years in prison in Kenya, just for having sex. Undaunted by this harsh reality, one organisation is taking its fight right to the courts, and turning the tide for LGBTQI+ rights across the continent in the process.
Covering the new October Revolution: An IFEX original podcast
SABC Journalist Jamaine Krige unveils the challenges of covering one of the most important post-apartheid movements to rock South Africa: #FeesMustFall.
Censorship by courier
A series of news reports on government corruption is followed by a surprising notice, delivered by motorcycle couriers, informing opposition newspaper employees that they no longer have a workplace.
The (failed) silencing of “The Opposition”
How documentary filmmakers used black screens & actors to fight legal injunctions that threatened to silence their film.