Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

45 days and counting: Cameroon’s internet shutdown
Within the past year, the government of Cameroon has shut down the internet in its attempt to clamp down on demonstrations in English-speaking regions of the country.

The Pakistani government must release Zeenat Shahzadi from custody
Journalist Zeenat Shahzadi was recently recovered from a kidnapping. Rather than releasing her to her family, the Pakistani government is arbitrarily holding her in custody.

Peace through pluralism, a ‘Minister of WhatsApp,’ and Tanzania’s big panic: October in Africa
Alice Nderitu, Zimbabwe’s clampdown on social media, newspaper shutdowns in Tanzania, Cameroon journalists released and more in our October round-up of news from Africa.

Immediate action needed to end attacks on democracy in Cambodia
IFEX members join 55 NGOs in an open call to the international community to reconvene the Paris Peace Conference in light of its 26th anniversary and worsening attacks on democracy in Cambodia.

Urgent Call on the Advancement of Citizens’ Access to Information in Ghana
34 NGOs call on the government of Ghana to ensure its citizens’ right to access to information.

Security forces kill unarmed protestors in anglophone regions of Cameroon
AFEX has denounced the brutality of Cameroon’s security forces against unarmed civilians, reportedly killing 12 people and injuring many more in the country’s English-speaking regions, as well as the government’s decision to shut down the internet for the second time this year amidst protests.

Transparency assessment examines access to information in Southern Africa
The Transparency Assessment reflects on the experience of researchers from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique (Portuguese), Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe in their quest to exercise their right to information.

HRC 36: Secure digital communications are essential for human rights
A joint statement by the Association of Progressive Communications, IFEX and 64 co-signatories at the UN-HRC 36 warns of the threat to human rights posed by recent attacks on the right to use encryption technology, in Turkey and across the globe.