Reyhana Masters

Murder, protests, and a photographic African biennale

January in Sub-Saharan Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

The weaponisation of information disorder

IFEX’s Regional Editor for Sub-Saharan Africa shares reflections from civil society on regional attempts to curb freedom of expression by using the rising stream of polluted information as the weapon of authorisation.

Hair-raising issues, the sounds of the Sasaab go global, and secret witnesses in Nigeria

December in Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Prize for stitching her way to recovery, influence of JamiiForums irks authorities and Nigeria’s prisoners of conscience

November in Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Tears with Truth: The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission

After years of brutal repression, the 2016 elections allowed The Gambia to push the reset button. Reyhana Masters spoke with Saikou Jammeh of the Gambian Press Union about the country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which has had the nation riveted since commencement of the hearings.

#SexForGrades, LGBTQI+ attacks and celebrating Africa for ATI Day

October in Sub-Saharan Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

MFWA's Vivian Affoah, IFEX's Matt Redding, Sabrine Baâboura from RIDH, and Sheriff Bojang Jnr from the Gambia Press Union in Geneva, Switzerland, 8 October 2019

From dictatorship to democracy: All eyes on The Gambia’s upcoming Universal Periodic Review

Ahead of The Gambia’s Universal Periodic Review, IFEX’s Regional Editor Reyhana Masters asks: What issues are at the top of civil society’s agenda?

Disrupting state surveillance, banning red berets, and suppressing dissension

September in Sub-Saharan Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Punishments for protesters, penalties for popular (online) presences…

August in Sub-Saharan Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Threats, violence, laws, and taxes: The many approaches to stifling access to information in Uganda

President Yoweri Museveni uses a tiered approach of intimidation, restrictive legislation and taxation to skilfully and successfully restrict access to information as well as sharing of information.

Hydara killers revealed, internet blockages lifted and mounting concern for media freedom in Tanzania

July in Sub-Saharan Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Wave of shutdowns sweep through the continent and Tanzania dips further down rabbit hole of repression

June in Sub-Saharan Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2019 – surreal, inspirational, thoughtful and imaginative

Reyhana Masters, IFEX’s Africa Regional Editor, attended the 2019 WPFD celebrations in Addis Ababa.

Benin’s internet shutdown, Bobi Wine arrested in Uganda, What’s Crap on WhatsApp and more

April in Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Lawmakers meet during a session of Parliament in Accra, Ghana, 16 June 2006, Flickr / Jonathan Ernst / World Bank

An RTI win, scribbling schoolgirls released, regional bodies slam shutdowns and journalists jailed

March in Africa: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.