Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

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.

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.