Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

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.

On 3 August 2016, members of the riot police assaulted freelance journalists as they covered demonstrations against the Zimbabwe government’s plans to introduce bond notes, in the wake of adeteriorating socio-economic environment.

Following an outcry by the local and international community, including a statement issued by the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), Alfred Taban was granted bail on 29 July 2016.

On July 16, 2016, agents of the National Security Service arrested Alfred Taban, Editor-in-Chief of Juba Monitor, an independent English language daily newspaper in South Sudan. The security service accused the journalist of inciting violence, and consequently shutdown the Juba Monitor on the same day.

The peculiar case of a radio worker in secret detention in the Congo who is accused of both spying for Rwanda and aiming to destabilize Burundi.

Editor shot just a week after Lesotho Times publisher Basildon Peta charged with defamation over column about Lesotho Defense Force commander.