Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

IFEX members call on Prime Minister Trudeau to put human rights, especially free expression and press freedom, at the heart of the Canada-China relationship.

Work of various African organisations and governments helped lead the way to last week’s inaugural International Day for Universal Access to Information.

In commemoration of the first International Day of Universal Access to Information, MISA has launched its Transparency Assessment, which seeks to establish the ease or difficulty with which citizens in southern Africa can access public information.

Reporter Abdiasis Mohammed Ali was shot on 27 September 2016, on his way to visit his uncle in Mogadishu. Ali had worked with Radio Shabelle for more than seven years and was arrested on several occasions by the police and the National Intelligence and Security Agency in connection with his work as a journalist.

On 14 September 2016, five Internet users were arraigned before a Tanzanian Court on charges of insulting President John Magufuli on social media.

Live bullets rained down on protestors gathered to repudiate the postponement of DRC elections. Government officials report 32 deaths, but opposition tally tells a much grimmer story.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) held its 4th Annual General Meeting in Grahamstown, South Africa, on 31 August 2016. The AGM was preceded by a two-day capacity building workshop on Digital Rights Advocacy, as a follow up to a similar workshop held in Ghana in January 2016.

This continuous misleading of the citizenry on what constitutes cyber terrorism instills fear and self-censorship among citizens when exercising their rights to free expression, access to information and freedom of conscience.