Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Joint Debate of Assembly and ECOSOC on Partnerships for Post-2015 Agenda, UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Leading press freedom group and IFEX member should be granted access to UN bodies

Civil society groups ask ECOSOC to reconsider granting valued press freedom group and IFEX member, The Committee to Protect Journalists, consultative status at the UN.

Police vehicles and water canons parked on the outskirts of the city following a job boycott started via social media platforms, in Harare, 6 July 2016, AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

WhatsApp disabled as “Shutdown Zimbabwe” protest takes place

The platform had become the main communication tool Zimbabweans were using to mobilise and share information on the protest.

Link to: AFEX urges Sudanese government to end massive crackdown on free speech

AFEX urges Sudanese government to end massive crackdown on free speech

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is deeply concerned about the continued wave of attacks on freedom of expression in Sudan. Some of these violations include the arbitrary arrest of journalists and media professionals, confiscation of publications, and the suspension of media houses.

The Post Editor-in-Chief, Fred M’membe (left), his wife Mutinta and Post Deputy Managing Editor, Joseph Mwenda, pictured shortly before they were arrested and taken to the Lusaka Central Police Station on 21 June 2016 , MISA Zambia

Zambia’s “The Post” editors arrested following closure of newspaper

“Political leaders must know that this decision to close the Post newspaper, in addition to political violence, restriction of fundamental freedoms of association, expression and movement undermines the holding of a free, fair and peaceful election, scheduled for August 2016.”

Screenshot of postzambia.com

Concern over closure of “The Post” newspaper in Zambia

There is evidence to suggest that The Post is not the only media house that has tax problems in Zambia, which clearly shows that the closure of the newspaper is a political move that is beyond tax issues, as alleged.

A student demonstrates outside the Ministry of Justice, over the deaths of four students from war-torn western region of Darfur in Gezira state, at Khartoum, 9 December 2012, REUTERS/Stringer

Students detained without charge by Sudanese intelligence agency

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) demands Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services to immediately release the eight students who have been detained incommunicado since May 2016, following a protest at the University of Khartoum.

President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim attends the during the Anti-Corruption Summit in London, England, 12 May 2016. , REUTERS/Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool

ATI campaigners appeal against downgrading of World Bank’s FOI programme

In a joint letter, civil society organisations express concern about reports that the World Bank has significantly downgraded its capacity to pursue a global right to information agenda.

Link to: Campaigners welcome progress on Access to Information in Namibia

Campaigners welcome progress on Access to Information in Namibia

The ACTION Coalition commended Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) for earnestly initiating the process of drafting both an access to information (ATI) law and updating the information policy for the country.