Reyhana Masters

Seychelles’ rise, TikTok’s disinformation, and a toxic climate for sexual minorities

May and June 2022 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.

All-women radio in Somalia, a radio breakthrough in Guinea-Bissau, and a shocking sentence for a humanist

April 2022 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.

Significant court rulings, Jalingo’s journey from jail to joy, and Uganda’s quashing of critical voices

March 2022 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.

Looking ahead to International Women’s Day: Romancing radio, breaking biases, and enforcing accountability

February 2022 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.

Human rights ‘off the field’, Twitter un-banned, good intentions – and bad laws

January 2022 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.

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.