Reyhana Masters

At the end of a year full of challenges, Africa loses two stalwart rights defenders

December 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

An eventful #IDEI, a milestone for Botswana’s LGBTQIA+ and a unanimous vote for media freedom

November 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion based on this round up is available here.

MFWA’s media extravaganza, Rwanda’s clampdown on opposing voices and eSwatini erupts once more

October 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion examining the challenges facing Africa when it comes to impunity for crimes against journalists is available here.

Women crack glass ceilings, #FIFAfrica2021 conversations and continental #IDUAI celebrations

September 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece, focusing on #IDUAI with Gilbert Sendugwa of the Africa Freedom of Information Centre and Lamin Jahateh, of the Gambia Press Union, is available here.

Ray of hope in Zambia, shadow over north-eastern DRC, and the need for stronger whistleblower protection

August 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece, and focusing on Zambia’s election, is available here.

Hit or Miss? Assessing the Digital Platform for the Safety of Journalists in Africa

Reflecting on events from the first half of 2021, IFEX’s Africa Editor looks at how a more inclusive online platform may help provide journalists and media outlets with the support needed to survive the growing intimidation, harassment, threats and assaults sweeping the continent.

Journalist and activist Agba Jalingo raises a Nigerian flag during a protest against government practices and in support of activist Omoyele Sowore, in Lagos, 5 August 2020, Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto via Getty Images

RTI triumphs, shocking sexual harassment statistics, and compensation for tortured Nigerian journalist

July 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece, and focusing on the deeply concerning Women in News sexual harassment report, is available here.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa pays his last respects to the late former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda during his state memorial service, in Lusaka, Zambia, 2 July 2021, -/AFP via Getty Images

A king in hiding while eSwatini burns, Rwandan journalist abducted in Mozambique, and flags at half-mast for KK

June 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece, and focusing on the worrying situation in eSwatini, is available here.

The release of 30 balloons into the sky by Zoe Titus (L) and Gwen Lister (R) marks the unofficial finale of the UNESCO WPFD conference, Windhoek, Namibia, 3 May 2021, Photo: Guy Berger

Visions of press freedom obscured, LGBTQI+ rights falter, an icon tells her story

May 2021 in Africa: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece is available here.

Protesters outside Parliament during the End Queer and Trans Hate Campaign, in Cape Town, South Africa, 26 April 2021, Gallo Images/Brenton Geach

WPFD returns to its birthplace amidst a backdrop of media violations across the continent

April 2021 in Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s regional editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. You can also check out our special edition of our podcast Africa Brief marking World Press Freedom Day here.

A group of Nigerian women mark International Women's Day and voice their concerns over the recent rise in insecurity, hunger and inequality for women, in Lagos, 8 March 2021, Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Attacks on whistleblowers, legislating patriotism, #IWD and a bittersweet tribute

March 2021 in Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s regional editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece is available here.

The five members of the collective "Black lives matter in Italian Fashion", during a fashion show ahead of Milan Fashion Week, Milan, Italy, 17 February 2021, MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

Angola abolishes anti-gay law, Fab Five debut BLM-inspired designs, and Fela Kuti nominated to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

February 2021 in Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s regional editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece is available here.

Ethiopian Army soldiers stand in front of a group of children at the Mai Aini Refugee camp for Eritrean refugees amidst the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, 30 January 2021, EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images

A death in the dark, a regional platform for journalist safety, toxic masculinity and a South African infodemic

January 2021 in Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s regional editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece is available here.

A heavily armed police officer sits on a car positioned outside the headquarters of Bobi Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP), in Kampala, Uganda, 18 January 2021, YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images

Uganda besieged by a lethal combination of tyranny, brutality, restrictive laws and militarised enforcement

Along with ramping up the volume on violence and repression in recent weeks, President Museveni has, over the years, relied heavily on putting restrictive laws and policies in place.

The cover of a book on the life of prominent Gambian journalist Deyda Hydara slain in 2004, is displayed in Dakar, Senegal, 6 February 2008, SEYDOU DIALLO/AFP via Getty Images

#IWACU4 released, Deyda Hydara remembered, and Ghana’s post-election violence

December 2020 in Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s regional editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion relating to this piece is available here.

Journalists caught in the crosshairs, dissent brutally quashed, and big wins for African creatives and media stalwarts

November in Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region. An audio discussion about this piece is available here.