Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Two popular bloggers in Mauritania, Abderrahmane Weddady and Sheikh Ould Jiddou, have been detained for republishing and commenting on a story that had made the headlines in various international media outlets.

Police officers involved in an altercation with journalists following a minor road accident have been suspended while an investigation is carried out. MFWA are encouraged by the action taken by the Ghana Police Service to improve the relationship between the media and the police.

While celebrating the passing of Ghana’s Right to Information Bill, MFWA is encouraging stakeholders to put their weight behind ensuring the effective implementation of the newly passed law.

An interesting new initiative by the Media Foundation for West Africa allows local communities to use radio to engage with local authorities and address critical developmental issues ranging from lack of water to rates of unemployment.

The project, titled Promoting Free, Quality and Independent media in West Africa through knowledge sharing and capacity building, is being implemented in several countries including Ghana, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Senegal.

An ominous start to 2019 for the media in West Africa, with the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein Suale, an armed attack on a radio station in Liberia and a military raid on a Nigerian radio station.

Media and good governance programme manager for the Media Foundation for West Africa Abigail Larbi-Odei Abigail investigates the evolving media landscape in West Africa and why it is not translating into diverse, objective and high quality content.

Opposition Member of Parliament Alain Lobognon has been sentenced to one year in prison for his Twitter post in what is being regarded as a political power ploy.