Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Articles by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

© Mark Weiss/Corbis

Burkina Faso: Laptop seized, documents searched as offices of investigative publication burgled

The reasons for the burglary remain unknown, but many suspect that it is because of the work the newspaper outlet.

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh attends an extraordinary meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in Dakar, 2 April 2012, REUTERS/Joe Penney

Impunity persists: 20 years of fear in The Gambia

It’s been 20 years since Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh overthrew the Gambian government and proclaimed himself President of the Republic. Some of the human rights violations recorded over the last 20 years include the killing of 14 protesters in April 2000 and the killing of journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004.

© Bill & Melinda Gates/Gates Foundation/http://bit.ly/1nLuBxl

Radio stations in Ghana give less attention to local governance, development issues

“The findings are worrying and we need to change this situation…local radio stations are arguably the most influential and powerful platforms for fostering participatory, accountable and transparent governance, particularly at the local level.”

A man reads a newspaper in Abidjian, 18 January 2013. , REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon

In Ghana, security forces harass journalists, seize reporting equipment

Even before the end of the first quarter of 2014, the MFWA’s Freedom of Expression and safety of journalists monitoring shows that four cases of press freedom violations have been committed by members of the security agencies.

People take part in a demonstration for LGBT rights in downtown Rome, 11 June 2011, REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico

Protecting freedom of expression for LGBT people

Making a statement during International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T).

Mourners gather at the grave of Somali radio producer Abdihared Osman Aden, who was shot dead by unknown gunmen, in Mogadishu, 18 January 2013., AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh

African Commission adopts resolution on media attacks in Somalia

In the resolution, the ACHPR “strongly condemns the serious violations of the right to life committed against journalists and media practitioners” and appeals for “the immediate cessation of harassment and intimidation aimed at independent media organisations” in Somalia.

MFWA

African court says Burkina Faso failed to investigate assassination of journalist Norbert Zongo

“The court held that the failure of a government to diligently seek and bring to account the persons responsible for the assassination of a journalist…violates the human rights of journalists, endangers truth and should not be allowed,” the Nigerian-based Guardian newspaper reported.

Javier Domínguez Ferreiro/Flickr/http://bit.ly/1jLaq0w

Gambians experience interruptions in use of mobile chat applications

Less than a year after The Gambia passed a stiff information and communication law to stifle freedom of expression online, Gambians are reportedly experiencing interruptions while using mobile chat applications like Viber.