Articles by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
27-year jail sentence for Somali journalist in Ethiopia a “travesty of justice”
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange condemns the 27-year sentence imposed on Mohamed Aweys Mudey and notes that the Ethiopian media environment is characterized by the arrest of journalists.
Civil society groups urge African countries to pass access to information laws
A group of nine civil society organisations has urged countries without access to information legislation, such as Ghana, to take urgent steps to put a law in place.
Togo: 19 students injured, 12 arrested in clashes with gendarmes
Students were arrested and injured in clashes with gendarmes after trying to protest “arbitrary criteria” that the University of Lomé has introduced for granting scholarships.
Radio station attacked for defying censorship orders in Ghana
On 17 February, about 30 youth stormed the premises of Gift FM in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The action followed a news item aired about the alleged banishment of Fred Yeboah – the general manager of the Presbyterian Hospital in the town – by the Dormaa traditional council.
Côte d’ Ivoire’s media regulatory body suspends newspaper over “insults” against president
A statement issued The Conseil National de la Presse (CNP) accused Le Monde d’ Abidjan of “publishing insults to an extreme gravity” against the Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, in its 29 January issue. This is the fifth newspaper that the CNP has sanctioned this year.
New African free expression network highlights need for protection of journalists
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange, a network of organisations who are also IFEX members, has deplored the current state of attacks, arrests, and harassments meted out to journalists in many countries on the continent, especially in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Somalia.
Transparency, independent media are vital for global development plan
195 civil society organisations from around the world have called on the UN to put government accountability and independent media at the centre of a new framework for global development.
Ghana: Radio show host and panellists arrested over comments about police
On 22 January 2014, police arrested Tinaa Adams and two guests on her morning show, following a discussion about the spate of armed robbery in Ghana’s Upper West region.The police also seized some equipment from the radio station.