Articles by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Mahama responds to journalists’ call for inquiry into presidential staffer
The president of Ghana has responded to a petition by the Media Foundation for West Africa and 155 Ghanaian journalists seeking disciplinary action against a senior presidential staffer, Stan Dogbe, following Dogbe’s attack on a journalist.
African free expression groups hold digital rights advocacy workshop
Organised by the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), the workshop aims to deepen participants’ knowledge of online advocacy and develop strategies to create an Internet environment that fosters innovation, information sharing and development.
Bahrain must end harassment of human rights defender Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman
IFEX members call on the Government of Bahrain to stop the judicial harassment of Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman, and to allow human rights defenders to exercise their right to freedom of expression.
On the anniversary of Charlie Hebdo, dissenting voices must be protected
Civil society groups mark the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack by calling on governments worldwide to fulfill their obligation to protect freedom of expression.
Critical journalism under siege in West Africa
In what appears to be an emerging pattern of censorship and restrictions on critical reporting, journalists in West Africa are facing parliamentary and judicial enquiries, arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Nigerian Senate must withdraw “Frivolous Petitions Bill”
The Frivolous Petitions Bill demands that persons seeking to petition state authorities on the conduct of another person must swear an affidavit. Persons who publish petitions not supported by an affidavit “shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to imprisonment for six months without the option of a fine.”
Mauritania must enable the dissemination of information about modern slavery
In light of attacks on anti-slavery demonstrators and journalists covering slavery issues, including instances of self-censorship, over the last five years, the MFWA demands Mauritania to reform its stance on free expression rights.
Niger: Police arbitrarily detain 4 journalists, seize their equipment
On 14 November 2015, police in Niger arrested and detained journalists from two private television stations without charge. The journalists’ cameras, microphones and mobile phones were also seized after their arrest.