Articles by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Presidential appointee to head Guinea’s media regulator
The presidential appointment of Boubabacar Yacine Diallo as the new head of Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) is being seen as a move to control Guinea’s media sector.
Ghanian soldier assaults cameraman for filming clean-up exercise
This is the third time in four months that a soldier has assaulted a journalist in Ghana. The MFWA finds this recent spate quite disturbing and urges the military authorities to take steps to curb it.
Nigerian Sharia court sentences singer to death
Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu is accused of blasphemy and has been sentenced to death for his song excessively praising the founder of a religious sect.
30 radio stations in Guinea-Bissau go silent to protest attack on Capital FM
The attack on Radio Capital FM followed several threats to the station which its Management says were reported to the police.
Benin’s closure of online media outlets seen as muzzling of media
Benin’s media regulator has been criticised for a directive ordering the closure of non-compliant online media outlets.
In major victory for the media Sierra Leone repeals sedition legislation
Sierra Leone’s Parliament has repealed an outdated and repressive 1965 law that criminalised libel and sedition.
Second Niger journalist arrested for reporting on military procurement scandal
Editor Ali Soumana is the second investigative journalist charged with publishing false information in Niger for his article relating to a military procurement scandal.
Ongoing media freedom violations during Mali unrest
Amidst the ongoing unrest in Mali, protesters have been killed, the internet restricted and the media, including the national broadcaster, have been attacked.